THE SUN IS UP!

Yelllooo!

The sun is up! We are going to have TWO BAPTISMS this Saturday!!!! You must be praying hard for me because I truly feel like it was a miracle. We have been waiting what seems like forever for Renato and Leandro to talk to their parents (more their dad). Yesterday it all went down. We went to their house to talk with their parents. I had never met the dad and did not have a clue what he would tell us. It was all in his hands. We all sat down and waiting for someone to start talking. I was making small talk but that didn't last too long. I wasn't sure how to pop the question we had all been waiting for. We sat in silence, my comp wasn't going to ask it. Then I remembered I am her trainer so I guess I got to go for it. But my Spanish doesn't flow like it should flow. It's a pretty blunt Spanish I speak. So I said "We are here because we have been teaching your sons and they want to be baptized." haha just like that. Then the father Javier began to speak up. He said Renato can be baptized because he has been investigating a long time and is 14 years old, but Leandro is only 9 and isn't mature enough to make a decision like this right now. Ugh my heart sank, Leandro was the one who wanted the baptism more. I looked at Leandro and his eyes began to water. I didn't know how to respond. I can't argue with parents. I have to respect their decision. But something in me didn't want to give up. After an hour and half of talking about a baptism and many awkard pauses, the parents finally agreed. We did it!! We convinced them. I was praying hard the whole time, because I literally did not know what I could tell a parent who says no my child can't be baptized. Leandro wouldn't speak up or defend himself. The whole time we were trying to get him to speak but he was silent. Finally in the end his parents asked him what he thought for the tenth time. He said "I want to be baptized." When they asked why he said "because I know this church it true." How pure and sweet he is, my heart melted a little. God was with us the whole time. Their hearts softened and it was truly a miracle that they are going to let Leandro be  baptized with his brother. 

We have been teaching Julia (less active)and her daughter Maria a lot lately. Maria will be baptized this Sunday on her 8th birthday! Julia's husband is in jail for something he didn't do, they have absolutely no money. They are the humblest people. One night after we were finished teaching them we asked what we could do to help her. She looked at us sincerely and said I don't know how we are going to make it this week. She didn't ask for food or money but we could see in her eyes that they are all starving. So we left and bought rice, oatmeal, milk, eggs, pasta, and fruit. We ran back to her little home and handed her the food. It was something I will never forget. As she opened the door her eyes were teary with gratitude. Her kids were even more happy. 

We have interviews with the Pres this week! I always enjoy them. In preparation for our interviews we need to personally study Alma 36 and 37. As I was reading Alma 37 today I found a scripture that I love Alma 37:46 "the way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever." It says don't be slothful because of the easiness of the way. We have the way prepared for us. When the people of Moses were told that if they looked they would live many didn't do it because it was so easy. They lacked faith in God. The way is layed out for each and every one of us. The way is easy. It's not hard all we have to do is "Look to God and Live." That's my motto this week. Don't be lazy. Do what you know you shoul do. 

I love you all! Pray that these baptisms happen! Hermana Valencia and I are trying to plan two baptisms this week one for Renato and Leandro and the other for Maria. Neither one of us knows how to do it. This morning I was reading in Preach my Gospel thank goodness for that book. This is both our first baptism haha! It should be interesting. 

Alejandro finished the Book of Mormon this last week! He said he would not be baptized without first reading it. We are going to teach him tomorrow. Please pray for him. 

xoxo love you a lot.

Hermana Stringham 

Analy visited us last week! A big suprise! It was sooooo good to see her! We cooked lemon pie and oreo truffles with the other Hermanas!

Choose The Ugly Cookies

Hello Everyone!

This last week was a little encouraging! We reactivated TWO PEOPLE! One of which received a calling this last Sunday. I am very happy for her. Just so you know a little bit more about this area. Last month (July) in all of our zone there were only 9 baptisms and 8 reactivations. Missionary work is a little tough. I never imagined that I would have such a hard time finding someone who wants to be baptized here, but I will tell you it is not an easy thing. I feel like I am trying to pull a horse by it's neck. 

We found a really great family. Yesterday we invited them to be baptized, but as usual every person and there dog is Catholic here and won't budge. They even prayed to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, received an answer and all. The dad thought the way we have our baptisms is correct because it is exactly how Christ was baptized. He wants to have a baptism like Christ but wants to stay Catholic afterwards. I told him sorry that's not an option. Once you are baptized you change religions! You are now a Mormon! But we are working poco a poco with these people. I am not scared to invite people to be baptized we do it multiple times every week or daily, sometimes I wonder why why why won't they accept this gospel. I am trying my hardest to do everything on my part to be my best to see these miracles happen, but I believe I need to learn something more. Patience. Endurance. Hope. Faith. 

I love being with a new missionary because she has so much faith in these people. We do have one person who will be baptized!! We just don't have a set date yet. Renato is 14 years old. He is the grandson of the most faithful member in our ward, Hermano Cely. He has been coming to church and listening to the missionaries since January! If you remember, we had a baptism date for him in June but it fell through. Well we are now teaching him with his brother, and that is when we saw everything change. We were in a lesson with them both and we invited them to be baptized (for the 50th time). Leonadro the 9 year old brother said "SI!" That's when Renato's face lit up, he turned to his brother and said "You really want to be baptized?" When his brother shook his head, Renato finally changed everything. Now that he has the support of his family he is on board! We are just waiting for his mom to talk with his dad to make sure it is okay. We had the most lovely Family Home Evening with them last Saturday. We talked about Agency and the 10 commandments. I used one of Cynthia's ideas. We filled oreos with toothpaste and then had other cream filled ugly cookies. We counseled them to choose the ugly cookies, but they didn't liston. Everyone but one person chose the toothpaste cookies, and they ate the whole thing!!! Even after we told them "stop, there is toothpaste in that cookie!" The grandpa was choking afterwards. I was trying not to dye of laughter. 

I was oficially called to be the English Tutor in my district. I teach English lessons to the missionaries in my district and pass levels off with them every week. President Rowley is really forcing the Latinos to learn English. I am trying to teach my comp but she has little desire. We are supposed to speak in English and hour each day........We are lucky if we speak 10 words each day. 

I taught Gospel Principles yesterday. Mom THANK YOU for sending be those books---just in time. 

go spread the gospel

Love and pray for you all!!!! :)

Hermana Stringham

I AM A GIANT WHITE SWEATY GIRL......

Hello Fam and Friends!

As you can see we went crazy and had a major CHOCOLATE overload. (Whoops - Sarah forgot to attach the picture) I haven't had American junk food in a loooonng time. My companion's head hurt from all the chocolate and my stomach grew. But thank you Mom for bringing us some happiness and a few extra pounds! It's pretty funny people here die for American treats, they have never tried anything so sweet. 

Anyway, the mission work. We are doing well. I feel like I am growing and stretching myself a lot in this transfer. My last three transfers my Latin companions led the way, but now I am the one who is supposed to know and do everything. It's good for me because I feel like I have a bigger responsibility to be an example and always do what is right. I can't mess up. But I do... I am not perfect. 

So we have been trying to find new investigators. We are talking a lot more with people in the streets. We had seven new investigators this last week, but none of them are really good prospects. We had a lot of strange lessons this last week.The people here are mostly good, but there are strange people everywhere you go, and we just happened to teach them! One of the daily strange occurances that happens is when we try and pray with a new investigators. It's quite the ordeal. We always explain to them how to pray, then we wait for them to begin. Most of the time they attempt. But sometimes they just sit and stare and it's really awkard because all of us have our eyes closed and heads bowed. We then explain once more. Try again. Well this last week we had a lot of these awkard moments where the people don't talk but just stare. They don't even say I'm sorry I can't do pray. Just something funny that happens a lot in the lessons!

This last week I lost my beloved sombrero. Very sad. I now walk around with an umbrella. You can call me "Jehovey" (Jehovah Witness). But I am not too worried about how I look. People stare at me no matter where and what I am doing. I am a giant, white, sweaty girl here. Now I just have an umbrella to add to the look! We went running this morning, more stares. It's been a while since I stretched those muscles.....

Another random fact I am the ward chorister. Well not really but they call on me every week. 

As of tomorrow I have been out 6 months! How crazy is that?? I will be home in one year! Time is flying. 

Remember Renato? Well it looks like he might be baptized soon! We are still working with him. Now his brother wants to start going to church, so that has helped Renato. Alejandro, still goes to church every Sunday. We are waiting for him to finish the Book of Mormon. Right now he is in 3 Nephi. He won't be baptized without first reading all of the Book of Mormon. But I have a lot of faith he will be baptized. We are teaching a less active who is the sweetest and most humble mom ever. Her husband is in prison for something he didn't do. She was left with 3 kids. Literally her walls are cardboard. Her daughter Maria is 7 and is going to turn 8 at the end of this month. So we were thinking great! We have a baptism!!!! Whoop Whoop! When we told our district leader last night he told us that she isn't considered a convert because she will 8 (You have to be 9 to be a convert if you have a parent who is a member). Kind of a bummer, but that's okay. Some of these rules I am still trying to figure out myself haha, oops.

There so much to do as a missionary. We are teaching investigatores, less actives, recent converts, all while filling out a bigillion papers for people, trying to help people with family history (which I don't know much about), calling, etc. There literally isn't a minute to think or rest. But I am so happy to be able to be a part of the Lord's work. I am on his errand. 

I love you all! Keep praying for me please. I pray for you. This church is true I feel it. 

xoxo Hermana Stringham

I AM TRAINING AND I LOVE IT!

Hola!! 

This past week has been great! I am training and I love it!! I am a "mom" in the mission! I know you are all praying for me, because I feel at peace. I don't feel inadequate because I know that with whatever the Lord calls me to do he will provide a way for me to do it. I received my new comp (hija--daughter) on Wednesday. Her name is Hermana Valencia. She is 19 years old and is from Lima. We get a long really well, we kind of have the same personality so that's always good. When I met her I told her that I need her just as much as she needs me. We are learning together. Some people laugh because I am still a nuevacita myself! But we are happy in Sullana!

I know the Lord is helping me with this new task. I feel like I can finally understand mostly everything in Spanish not totally but I can get around! Big applause for me! yayyy! I am doing so well and am so happy! I also feel like the Lord gave me a big whooooshhh of energy. 

Hermana Valencia

I love cambios because it's always a time to improve. We are working really hard to find new investigators. We are hunting people down and throwing our message in their faces! Something sad happened this week. Nuestros bauptismos se fue al Lima. Rosa and Hiara (mom and daughter) traveled to Lima and were baptized there without telling us!!!!!!!!! Noooooo hahaha. Don't know how it happened but it did.Those baptisms slipped right before my eyes!

Right now we don't have any investigators with a baptismal date. But we are working a lot with Alessandra (19 yrs) she is awesome. She goes to church every Sunday and always has food prepared for us :) We are really close with her. We are going to learn how to cook Peruvian desserts in her house next Monday! She wants to be baptized but she feels like right now is too soon, she wants to wait until October....I have faith she will be baptized this month. Pray for her. We are still working with Alejandro and Renato, both go to church every week but don't want to be baptized. I don't understand some people. But I am learning to have a lot of patience.

This last week I felt 3 earthquakes! Yesterday we were sitting in a lesson with a old sweet man who just lost his wife. He was crying to us when the floor started to shake for about 10 seconds. It was definitely the strongest yet! I looked at my comp and was trying not to laugh then I looked at the sweet old grandpa in front of us as he began to recite some prayer. I asked myself if the Savior came right now would I be ready?

I feel like I am forgetting everything about home, my life before. I guess that is a good thing because it means I am not thinking so much of the things at home. But I don't want to forget the people who do the most for me. So I want to thank you ALL for all of your support, letters, and prayers. I am so blessed to have a family who are all faithful members, friends who encourage me to keep going, and the Lord who puts experiences and tests in my life to make me stronger. I love the scripture in Ether that says "I give men weaknesses that they may be strong." We have to see our weaknesses and our debilities before we can grow.

I know this church is true. Share your testimony with everyone! Don't be shy! We all have a great responsibility. One day the Lord will ask us what we did to share the gospel with our neighbour who lived next door for 20 plus years. What will you have to say?

xoxo Hermana Stringham 

My last compantion

Failed jumping pic with my threesome from last week

Training a Nuevacita! Ahhhhh

Buenas Tardes Todos!

Marianna and Brandon thank you for the Letter and quotes! I am glad to here everything is going well. I was wondering if you two were living?! I hope Frankie gets over the allergies! Kristin Christensen!! Thank you for the package! It made my day! Abby Jones and Katie thanks for the letters!! I felt really loved today. You people don't know how much letters mean to me, they are money.  You are going to be in Jackson this week! I can't believe it and I can't think about it either. Have so much fun and ski some good runs!

Guess what....I am going to train a nuevacita! Ahhhhhh. I am a Little bit scared, but I feel at peace. I know these next three months will be more of a growing experience for me than my companion.  I am in Piura right now. I will be in a trio for a few days, until my companion arrives on Wednesday. I have a training in the misión home tomorrow and on Wednesday. Please pray for me. Today we traveled to Catacoas in a tiny Little combi (van) stuffed with people. There is a bunch of cool stuff in Catacoas, I bought a leather purse. BAD CHOICE...I didnt count my money right. I don't have any money, but I will make it hopefully.... the Lord will provide!

The missión truly is FAKE IS TILL YOU MAKE IT. It's amazing how far you can go with that in mind. I got Cynthia's letter today! Thank you Cynthia for reminding of my favorite quote from Gwen McConkie LET IT ROLLLLLLLL. I want to make that my motto. Everyday there are moments of "I don't know what I am doing or saying or hearing right now." But I just keeping going, keep walking, and keep on rollllllling! My área is really big and that's what scares me the most. You people all know how great I am at navigating...especially in a foreign language!

I am sitting in the missión office right now companionless waiting for other hermanas to pick me up. I just said goodbye to Hermana Rios litterally 2 minutes ago. It's crazy how close you get to your companion. Not every moment with a companion is beautiful, spiritual, or peaceful haha but you learn so much from each companion. By the end of the transfer your companion truly feels like a sister.

We have a new investigator! Her name is Alexendra she is 19 years old. She wants to be baptized but needs more time. She has a problem with drinking, but she is changing and coming to church every week. She is not in our área though.....so I don't know if the Elders will let us keep teaching her.

Ricoberto! He wants to be baptized so badddd, but he can't because he is not married. Right now he is not on good terms with his wife either. Marriage is not likely at this point. We are not sure what to do with him. 

We reactivated a member this last week! Whoop! Reactivating someone makes me just as happy as having a baptism. Well actually I don't really know how happy a baptism will feel but it will be a happy moment!

I can't even think right now. So much has happened this past week and I can't remember any of it! My mind right now is running at a millllion miles per hour.

Some of the daily things I here in the streets in good ol' Sullana:

Gringa!

Alta!

New Jersey!

California!

I would die for your love!

Mamacita!

Flacita!

Blancita!

Convertame!

And lots lots more........

I hope you all had a grand week! I've got to write the Pres. Choi (is that how you spell choi? No se....)

xoxo Hermana Stringham

The Joys of Peru

Hermana Stringham and Hermana Kaeding

Hola Familia y Amigos!

 

This last week was probably the hardest yet! haha. But I am loving this work. I know I have been gone for five months but I still feel like a newbie gringo, and I am. I finally feel like I am getting into the roll of things (it's about time Sarah)! I was thinking about how our life is kind of like a mission. I believe we all had a "MTC training" before this life. God prepared us well and sent us off on our way. Now we are here on earth serving our missions and trying to fight the evil, so that one day we can return with honor. It's not easy. I love a quote by President Monson. He said, "The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure." It is our decision whether we "shall falter, or whether we shall finish." Our challenges allow us to become something different from what we were--better than we were. I am so grateful to be on a mission. It's not always the easiest thing, but I can already see that I have changed. My mind has been opened. We can all return with honor, don't give up! President Uchtdorf said, "You are stronger than you realize. More capable than you can imagine." I love that quote. We can't even see how strong we are. Christ didn't make us weak. We have the strength in us!!!

 

Anyway, I had the biggest tender mercy this last week. So my comp. had to go to Lima for her Visa. I was supposed to stay with another Sister in Piura, but she never showed up at the airport. I wasn't sure who I should stay with for the next couple of days. I was companion-less. But then Hermana Kaeding showed up at the aiport!!!!!! Her comp went to Lima also, so me Hna Kaeding and another gringo Hna Shills were a three-some for three days! I got to be Hermana Kaeding's comp again, it was like good old times. Instead of teaching fake investigators we got to teach real people together! We spoke full of English for three days. We bought hamburgers, and had a big slumber party. I slept in a twin bed with Hna. Kaeding. And we talked and talked. It was hard to wake up the next morning. But so worth it. We were in a pretty sketchy part of town one night and I had all my baggage with me. So we decided to book it to our apartment!  it was pretty funny. The joys of Peru!!!! Hermana Kaeding truly is like a sister to me. I am so grateful to have her with me.

 

So I gave a talk in church yesterday about "La Obra Misional." I shared a story--something that happened this last week...

 

After I picked up my comp at the airport we were driving to the bus stop in a taxi. I was sitting in the front and there were three sisters in the back. The taxi driver asked if we were Elders (like usual) "No somos HERMANAS. Gracias" He told me his kids are Mormon. I asked him why he wasn't and if he had ever prayed to know it was true. He stopped me in the middle of our conversation and asked me how old I was. I told him my age. And he said wow I can really feel the power when you speak. He asked me how he could pray to know if this is true. I told him and committed him to pray that night. I am praying that he received his answer!

 

It's moments like these when I realize how much God is with us when we simply "Open our mouths." As I was talking to him I was able to understand every word he said, and I was able to answer every question he asked. Truly I felt the gift of tongues. 

So dad I used your suggestion in my talk . Remember when you shared with me D&C 33:8-10. It repeats three times OPEN YOUR MOUTH and it shall be filled. So like I challenged my ward, I am challenging you all to open your mouths!! It's scary I know. But you don't have to have a badge to do it. You were all born in this age and day. Whether you like it or not God chose and saved you for this day. This is the day to share the gospel. We are ALL missionaries.

 

This is my last week with Hermana Rios. I can't believe this transfer is already done! I have learned so much from Hermana Rios. Last night we were talking to each other about how God has taught both of us a lesson during this transfer. Time is so crazy. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me next!

 

....Our investigators. Man oh man no one is progressing. But I am not letting it get me down!

 

Te amo!

 

Hermana Stringham 

Sick with NO Water......

oh and this is my bed. its a little claustrophobic

Hoooollllaa!!

 

Mom you asked about my new pencionista as always. My pensionista cooks really really good!!!!!! She is pro. I am so thankful. And she gives us just the right amount. This week we didn't have water for a couple of days. I happened to get sick :( I must have eaten something dirty. But not having a toilet that functioned and being sick was a little rough hahhaaa. I need not say more. Our district leader called us one of these nights that we were without water at 10:15 and said President is coming to inspect our apartments tomorrow morning. WHAT? We about died. Our place smelled horrible, we hadn't cleaned this last week because we didn't have time, and we didn't have water to clean....bad combo. Soo Hna. Rios and I ran to our pencionista's house and borrowed some water. We then attempted to mop and clean the whole place with the little water we had. Thank you mom for packing me with a travel size feebreez. It was used well.

 

The next day....President Rowley and Hermana Rowley drove to our apartment. They probably looked around for about 3 minutes then President Rowley said Hermana Stringham get your Capeta de Area (I don't know what the name is in English but it has all the histories of our investigators) and planner. Ahhh he is great man but I'll be honest It was nerve racking. My comp and Hermana Rowley went in the other room while I talked with the President. He grabbed my planner and scanned everything. Looked at my goals. EVERYTHING. Then he said show me who you taught last night in your planner. Then he said who here has a baptismal date, (luckily we taught Hiara and Rosa that day who both have a baptismal date..TENDER MERCIES).. He asked me to show him their history. He gave me lots of advice and counsel. haha it's something I will never forget. Anyway I survived the moment. And I am here writing you again. Time is going by fast. This week I reached FIVE months!

 

And guess what? We didn't have a baptism. Alejandro fell through. He said once he recieved his answer he would be baptised. Well he has his answer. Then he said once I finish the book of Mormon I will be baptized. He hasn't finished the Book of Mormon yet but we tried to set another baptismal date with him but he wouldn't. Hna Rios and I feel like we have tried everything we can. I think he just needs more time and a little spoon full of humility. But one day he will get there. You would think he is a member. He gave his friend a Book of Mormon the other day, not even members have courage to do that!

 

But good news is Rosa and Hiara will be baptized for sure! I am not exactly sure when but it looks like it will be sooner than August 20!

 

Ricoberto attends church every Sunday and wants to be baptized, but he is not married!

 

Our investigators really aren't progressing much. We are constantly on the hunt for new investigators. The life of a Missionary.

 

Tonight and tomorrow maybe the next day too I will be in Piura with 2 American sisters! My comp has to go to Lima for her Visa.

 

Last night we had a lesson with a family who is less active. It's great when I am talking and the people are staring right at me and then I ask them a question and they get this confused look on their faces. Yeah it happens a lot. Haha last night I asked the mom how she feels about Joseph Smith, she just looked at her son. Her son then said sorry you know your tongue is a little hard to understand because you're from Estados Unidos. Hahaha in these moments I just want to laugh and my comp was on the verge of laughing. Just a daily occurrence I thought I would share. But I am working on it. I am trying to speak slower, louder, and clearer. That's they key.

 

I love you all! I am learning so much it's incredible and I have no time to write it all!!!!! But keep pressing forward. We all have a purpose and a mission to accomplish in this life. God lives and loves each of you!!!

 

xoxo Hermana Stringham