IN N OUT in WASHINGTON

 Hello my friends! How are yall doing? I hope life is treating you well, I miss you all like crazy! Life has been so so good in Washington and I'm super happy! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• IN N OUT: The first In n Out in Washington recently opened and we got to go this week and it was actually insane. Never have I ever waited an hour for a burger but it was SO worth it! I forgot how good In n Out is! I have never seen so many people at a restaurant before haha it was crazy wild. 
• TEMPLE TOUR: We took Ray to the temple this week and he loved it so much! It's all he can talk about now! He felt the spirit so strong and told us as we were driving away that he didn't want to leave. One of my favorite things as a missionary is watching my friends experience the temple for the first time. There is truly nothing like it and to watch how it changes their lives is just incredible! I am so thankful for the temple and thankful to be able to take my friends there. 
• EXCHANGES: We had 2 exchanges this week and both were really fun! We saw so many miracles! I spent a night with Sister White and a night with Sister Moore. I love both these sisters so much and they are amazing missionaries. On both exchanges we found a new friend which is the biggest miracle ever! God is really preparing his people! 
• CHERIE: Cherie is one of our new friends we found yesterday. Our contact with her was really cool! We were just chatting having a simple conversation about God and out of nowhere she starts explaining a really hard thing she's going through recently. Even she said she had no idea why she was sharing it, but because she did, we were able to find the perfect scripture to share with her and really helped her feel of God's love. The Spirit is so powerful! I love being a missionary! 
• 14 MONTHS: Today I hit 14 months as a missionary which is the most insane thing ever. I still feel like I'm a brand new missionary just fresh out of the MTC! I can't believe how fast time is flying! 

LOWLIGHTS:

• WENSDAY: Our recent convert Wensday left yesterday for boot camp and I was so sad to see her go! She's such a light in this ward and we are all going to miss her so much. Today is her 1 year mark of being baptized but she was able to get special permission from the first presidency to receive her endowment on Saturday and hearing about her experience was so cool! God is good! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This week in one of our dinners, we discussed this scripture: 

D&C 62:3

Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.

I LOVE this! I love the idea that when we share our testimony, no matter how simple it may be, the angels in heaven rejoice! The joy I feel when I share my testimony is so powerful and I definitely can feel the rejoicing. I invite you all to find more opportunities to share your testimony and to pay attention to the joy you feel! 

I love you all and hope you have the greatest week! 

-Sister Stringham