Well, I made it and its been a great week at the Missionary Training Center. I can't believe I've only been here for 6 days :) It seems like its been an eternity. I've already learned so much and I can honestly say that I've really enjoyed my mission so far.
Missionary prayers do get answered! We have been praying for snow because two members of our district have never seen snow before. Elder Iosefa is from Laie, Hawaii and Sister Slade is from Samoa. We had a great time taking pictures in the snow on Sunday by the Provo Temple and Elder Iosefa even made his very first "snow angel". We have a wonderful district. There are 6 elders that are all serving in Vancouver, Canada, 2 sisters serving in the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitor Center, and then my companion and I. Sister Slade is my companion and I love her. We've already decided that we are going to be friends forever.
It is nice being a sister missionary here at the MTC. In our orientation meetings last week, the Branch President told the elders that they have to open the doors for us, hold our trays in the lunchroom, and stand whenever we enter the classroom or sit down in the cafeteria. I've decided that my brothers should start practicing those simple acts of chivalry so that I will continue to be treated like a princess when I get home :)
I feel like I've been on a spiritual roller coaster this past week. The spirit is so strong here in the MTC but that doesn't mean that we don't have to work hard to feel and recognize it in our lives. Sometimes I have a lot of faith in the decision I've made to serve a mission, other times I am full of fear and find myself questioning my purpose. Up and down, up and down. Luckily the "ups" are good enough to offset the "downs". I have a great purpose and I know that the Lord really does walk next to His missionaries because we are doing His work.
Everytime we have to walk outside in the snow, Sister Slade and I just turn to each other and say "Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii!" She keeps telling me that island girls belong on the islands and I'm starting to think that Utah girls belong on the islands too. I love this work and I am praying for each and every one of you back at home!
Love,Sister Stringer
Missionary prayers do get answered! We have been praying for snow because two members of our district have never seen snow before. Elder Iosefa is from Laie, Hawaii and Sister Slade is from Samoa. We had a great time taking pictures in the snow on Sunday by the Provo Temple and Elder Iosefa even made his very first "snow angel". We have a wonderful district. There are 6 elders that are all serving in Vancouver, Canada, 2 sisters serving in the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitor Center, and then my companion and I. Sister Slade is my companion and I love her. We've already decided that we are going to be friends forever.
It is nice being a sister missionary here at the MTC. In our orientation meetings last week, the Branch President told the elders that they have to open the doors for us, hold our trays in the lunchroom, and stand whenever we enter the classroom or sit down in the cafeteria. I've decided that my brothers should start practicing those simple acts of chivalry so that I will continue to be treated like a princess when I get home :)
I feel like I've been on a spiritual roller coaster this past week. The spirit is so strong here in the MTC but that doesn't mean that we don't have to work hard to feel and recognize it in our lives. Sometimes I have a lot of faith in the decision I've made to serve a mission, other times I am full of fear and find myself questioning my purpose. Up and down, up and down. Luckily the "ups" are good enough to offset the "downs". I have a great purpose and I know that the Lord really does walk next to His missionaries because we are doing His work.
Everytime we have to walk outside in the snow, Sister Slade and I just turn to each other and say "Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii!" She keeps telling me that island girls belong on the islands and I'm starting to think that Utah girls belong on the islands too. I love this work and I am praying for each and every one of you back at home!
Love,Sister Stringer
