This week has been... weird! It's gone really fast but also very slow. So we are WHITEWASHING. That means both of us don't know any of the investigators or any of the roads here in Surabaya. So, our plan was to go and find all of the investigators that the sister before us taught, but the roads and the directions people gave us and everything confused us and we got lost a lot, but that's OK! Because now we know the roads better and have a better idea of where to go now. I learned how to be more patient this week, and that God will not leave us alone, not even in the middle of Surabaya. Sister Octaviany and I are excited to work here in Surabaya. This is us looking for an address and lost. This is us eating after looking for an address and got lost. I got a giant glass of 'Milo', a chocolate drink. This is us leaving from the park where there wasn't anyone to talk to because is was Chinese New Year. But we did find a really yummy fried rice/fried noodle place. This is us looking for an address again, but not so lost this time.
That was our week! Getting lost! Surabaya is the biggest city I've ever lived in but we're figuring out the roads little by little. But we're going to have a geat week next week. Hope you all have a great week too! Sister Stringham
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I have now moved to my (probably) last city- SURABAYA!!!
I'm in the Surabaya 2 (or Surabaya East) Branch. This is the first time I have ever served in a branch and I'm having a great time! Surabaya is Indonesia's second biggest city, and in my area there's big malls and some high rises. When I got here I thought I was in an American city, there are some big streets and more modern achitecture and the streets don't have as many potholes. I've really enjoyed moving here. But... there's one problem. I'm whitewashing again! Me and my brand new companion came here in the same week, so we don't know anything about this area! I was able to work with Sister Tanner, who was in this area beforehand, but she was just with me until my new companion Sister Octaviany came from the MTC 2 days later. So... we have no clue what wer'e doing out here, but I'm still having a great time! So, when a new missionary just starts in the field, we have a program called First 12 Weeks, where for the first 12 weeks of their mission we go over different aspects of missionary work so that they aren't too confused when they get here. I figured out that for Sister Octaviany's first 12 weeks, it is the same as my 'last 12 weeks', as we like to call it here. Ah man! This mission is going way too fast and the time just keeps going faster and faster, pretty soon I'll be home and I'm not sure how I feel about that! But it's okay, I'm going to enjoy every minute of my mission, these have been the best months of my life and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to come here and have all of these amazing experiences. I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else, no matter how hard it has been, with all of the difficulties the blessings have been even greater! Well, anyways, that's been my week, just going around and around lost on my bike! Love you all so much! Sister Stringham This has been a wonderful week! We were able to visit a lot of people and learn a lot this week! We have actually have a couple of investigators that are actually reading out of the Book of Mormon and sincerely seeking truth. We also had a meeting with President Rowley yesterday but had to go to the Supomo building, my old building. Church was still going on for them and when a lot of them saw me they were so excited! We were so happy to see each other and I got a lot of hugs and handshakes and happy smiles. Being in that ward I didn't feel like I made that much of a difference. We never really had any progressing investigators, but going there I could feel their love for me, and I love them also so, so much. A message to all of those struggling missionaries out there: You are doing better then you think your doing. You are making a difference. Maybe you don't see it now, maybe you will not see it in this life, but I know as you work with all you have and you do what you can do, it will all be worth it and people do see the goodness that you bring. You will not disappoint if you keep at it- you aren't expected to be perfect, you're just expected to not give up. You can do it! We went to the book store today. We also bought Bibles in Javanese... and bought some batik. I don't know how long I'll be here in Solo, so I've been hoarding as much batik as I can! Not one day comes by when someone doesn't remind me that I've only got a little while longer. I still have a couple months, but with the amount of missionaries in this mission, I'm one of the oldest sister missionaries. 'pulang' means 'go home', so we couldn't resist getting a picture. This is me and Sister Wiradi, my companion. She is waiting for her visa to go to her mission in Australia. We went on a hike, and to get there... well... let's just say the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland will never beat getting up that mountain. We went to the bishop's villa and could see all of Solo from their balcony. Best P Day ever!
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AuthorHOLLEY STRINGHAM: Salt Lake City, born and raised; returned missionary from the Indonesia Jakarta Mission.; a simple folk aimed on changing the world Archives
October 2017
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