the beginning of the end😭

 Wow what a week! So much happened and it was just bonkers! This week was the start of my last transfer as a missionary and I am so sad! I can't believe how fast time has flown! I truly never want it to end and I am blown away that I will be home in less than 6 weeks😭The WVM is truly my home and the biggest blessing in my life! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• TRANSFERS: This week was transfers and I was so so sad to say goodbye to Sister White but my new companion is Sister Harris and I am just obsessed with her! We are so similar and we are best friends already! She is an incredible missionary and we are ready to work so crazy hard these next few weeks! 
• LANDEN + GRACIE: Landen is incredible as always! This week we saw him at Sweetspot (the best froyo place) and instead of avoiding us like I would've done, he came up to us and introduced his girlfriend! It was the sweetest thing ever! Then on Sunday, we showed up for our lesson and she was there to join! We ended up giving her a Book of Mormon and setting up repeating lessons with BOTH of them and they both are coming to church next week! So many miracles! 
• MLC: We had MLC this week and oh my it was WILD but so so good! As many of you know from last year's emails from me, it gets dark reallyyy early here in Washington. And normally, we have to be outside finding from 5-8. Well the people of Washington aren't always very happy about this and the mission has really had some incidents where cops were involved because the missionaries were out this late. So at MLC we decided to make some changes! Now, we find from 4-7 pm and we changed pdays! We have district council in the morning and then our pday is from 11-9! I am actually so happy! So many good changes came from MLC! I also got to see so many good friends who I just adore!!!
• REFERRAL MIRACLE: We got a referral this week and we tried texting and calling and got no response so naturally we decided to go stop by. She didn't answer but after a 30 minute member stop by we felt inspired to go try again, so we did! She opened the door and goes "oh you're the missionaries come in!" and we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with her! Such a miracle! God is so so good! 

LOWLIGHTS:

• START OF GOODBYES: Because it is my last transfer there's some missionaries that I won't get to see this transfer, so I had to start saying real goodbyes to people, and I hate it! If you know me you know how hard goodbyes are for me! I am so blessed to have so many best friends here but it made this week a little harder than others! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This week I have done a lot of reflecting on my mission and it has been incredible to see the growth I've made. In district council this morning, a sister shared this quote. 

"Growth is the expected norm. It’s the divine challenge given to each soul as it enters mortality" 

Growth is why we are here on earth! Growth is how we become more like God! Growth is gained through living the gospel of Jesus Christ and I have learned that firsthand on my mission. Everything that happens, is an opportunity to grow. And I am so grateful God gives us constant opportunities to grow! 

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! 

-Sister Stringham