Selamat siang semuanya! Good afternoon everybody! But it's actually nighttime for all you in America right now, so selamat malam too! This week has been a bit hectic. I've been worrying about this area, because this has been a time where all of our investigators and people just kind of stopped happening. Everything good that had happened the last month had just kind of disappeared, with all of our potential investigators and less active members wanting to come to church. It was making me a little stressed. So... the beginning of this week was terrible. we went all around solo and were trying to meet our investigators and less active members and trying to contact and just nothing was working out. I have to admit I almost gave up hope on this area. But I decided to stay true to my personal motto: things are always going to work out if we keep trying, no matter how bad it gets. So, we kept trying, and by the end of this week we found 3 new investigators, gave away 4 Books of Mormon, and got a whole bunch of referrals. My motto has never failed me yet! Maybe things have ended up differently than what I thought they were going to when I came to Solo, but things always work out for our good and the good of those around us. God has a plan for each of us, we just have to keep moving forward so He can shape us into the person we need to be, so we can experience the things we need to experience. If we keep a hold of our strong foundations nothing can keep us from rising above the ashes of heartache, loss, loneliness and unfairness. Just keep doing what you know is right and don't ever give up hope.
Question for all of you: What is hope, exactly? I'm interested in hearing what you all think... Sip! Terima kasih! Thanks for always being there for me this past year. You know, it will be my year mark one week from this Friday. Can you believe it? I definitely can't. This last year has been packed with so many experiences and lessons, but it's by far been the fastest year of my life. Weird. Thanks! Sister Stringham
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This week has been a little bit crazy. On Monday we went Antique shopping, on Tuesday we went all around Solo trying to look for someone to teach, on Wednesday we worked in the Solo Jebres/Banjarsari area, on Thrusday while the Jebres Sisters did Weekly Planning while I read their Liahonas and I also picked up my 'child' Sister Prayitno, on Friday we went to Zone Meeting in Jogja and rode on a bus for maybe 6 hours that day, on Saturday was did Weekly Planning and Sister Prayitno taught her very first lesson to an awesome Part Member Family, and on Sunday I played the piano in sacrament meeting for the first time EVER and pretty much died, but I did pretty good for a first time. Another lesson: Even if you're not perfect at something or don't feel good enough, as long as you serve people out of love and use your talents to serve them, you WILL be a blessing in other people's lives.
Lesson learned this week: At the super market if you buy a certain brand of detergent you get a free plate. (what the connection is, not quite sure) As we finished checking out the lady didn't give us the free plate, but only after Sister Prayitno asked for it. I decided to make an analogy of it. We are often promised blessings form God, but sometimes wonder why we never receive it, (we might say "it's written on the front of the package, for heaven's sake!") but sometimes we have to ask for it first, and it will immediately be given to us, God is just waiting for us to ask. That was my wahyu this week. You're welcome. Okay, don't have any more time. Have a wonderful week ya? Sister Stringham Hello! Happy Sacrifice Day! Today in Indonesia they celebrate a day where they animal sacrifice, usually a goat or a cow to remember Abraham's sacrifice. Kinda cool! This last week I have been... alone. Because Sister Solomon moved to Tangerang on Wednesday and my trainee comes this Wednesday. She's still in the MTC! So I've been working with the two other sisters in Solo, Sister McGillis and Sister Rizkiana, and also been working with the members because there's an extra bike they can use. It's been crazy. I'm not sure where to go from now with this area, but I'm sure it'll all work out. I know God will guide my service here in Solo 1&2. He has already helped me and strengthened me so far, and I know He'll help me the rest of the way. D&C 28:15 is really true! "From the time that thou shalt depart to the time you shall return, I will be with you" or something like that. Another fun fact... I'm already 11 months on my mission, I'm already an old lady in the mission! hehe. I still feel brand new. I remember the words of a missionary who was going home a few weeks I got into the field. "Did I really go on a mission? The time's gone by so fast" On Tuesday it was my birthday. I'm officially 20 years old! As a tradition in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission, I was egged and floured at our house. Oh man! I've been with the Solo Jebres sisters these past few days. It 's been pretty crazy because my area is flat, and their's is all up hill, so I died a few times when I was working in their area. Another picture from my birthday. And one of my last pictuers with Sister Solomon :( I also went on splits with a lot of the members this week. It was really fun to help them learn what it's like to be a missionary and the impact they can have when they share the gospel. This is Erica. She's getting ready to serve a mission, she's just waiting for her call!
I love this country and all of the amazing people here. It's crazy, it's almost been a year. The time goes by fast when your working hard. I know this work is making a difference in the lives of the people I've taught so far. This gospel can really help us no matter what problem or heartache we have, there is a peace and hope that comes from living the gospel, where all the worldly solutions can't help. This gospel has helped me so much and I'm so thankful it is in my life. No matter what happens I know I can rely on my Savior and His teachings to get me through it. I know it can help you too. See you next week! Anda semua hebat sekali! Sister Stringham |
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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