One Whole YEAR!

Forth road bridge on the Edinburgh

So here in Kirkcaldy it is FREEZING COLD. I think I am going to turn into a Popsicle pretty soon... Man I am just afraid to admit that Winter is already here and Christmas is right around the corner!! Oh man! What am I gonna do!?? I just don't know. Well off of the weather report. 

 Hit my year mark so I burned a skirt. Good times!

This week has been pretty crazy!! So we started off with a normal week,

Monday we were going to meet the Elders in Glenrothes to play football with them. So we called them and they said they would love to. So we got on the bus over there and guess what?! We forgot the phone at home!!!! haha So there we were...On the bus...Going to a park and we didn't know how to get there or where they wanted us to meet them. So we just started walking. We were walking down this road and a bus goes by and guess who was on it? The Elders! So we followed the bus and found out where they live. haha We are such good detectives! So we waited for them to come outside and they were pretty shocked that we found it! Good times! So we went to the park and we found some ducks to feed and we found this cool swing thing. So we were swinging and going on the zip-line. It was pretty fun. So we did that and played football and then we went and got ice cream. Man was that a successful day or what! I sure thought it was! After that we went over to the King family's house for Family Home Evening and for dinner. They are so cute! haha They have 3 kids and they are a hoot! Man LDS members are just the best people to be around. Quick, everyone, invite the missionaries over!! 

Tuesday we had Zone Interview training. Good stuff. So from 7 in the morning we were traveling til 9. And then our meeting was from 9:30 until like 4. Long day! So Sister Jackson and I were supposed to instruct in the meeting but we were talking to President for too long so they skipped us! Haha it was too funny. They told us we have to do it later so we will see what happens. It was going to be so good too!  So that happened and then we had some Pizza for lunch. I made like a hundred cookies, so we brought those. Don't worry we shared!! I got a box from my best friend Lilli for my birthday.  That was exciting! President made me interview some Elders, and that was funny. He is too funny, our mission President Donaldson. He said he's always got my back. And he also wanted to know where I get all of my crying from. THANKS DAD! We got back to our area and we had dinner with the Laughlin family. They made us Jambalaya.  It was so good! After that we went to sign language class and walked home. Crazy night walking home.

Wednesday we had a lesson lined up with one of our friends "J" but our Joint teach didn't show up. Haha Awkward. So there was that! but we rescheduled, so don't worry! We went and had dinner with the Bousie's family. Okay I seriously love them so much! They are SO funny! Their kids are the best. Had some yummy fajitas. Proper Scottish food this week huh?! Good stuff! So we went there and we were chapping some doors because we were a bit early. So we met this man named "D" and he was telling us ALL about his tractors and how cool they are and how old they are. He was 86 and still driving some tractors. He was telling us about all of the shows that we need to go to! Maybe one day we will go... on our way home from the bus station this evening we invited 6 people to be baptised! They all told us no! But we still invited them! Hopefully one day! 

Thursday ONE WHOLE YEAR!!!!! I don't even know.. I am seriously so sad about that! I feel like I have grown SO much. I have no Idea where I would be if I didn't come on a mission. I don't want to know!! I am so glad I have had this opportunity in my life. It is the best thing I have ever done and will probably ever do. I love it! It is so good! It's so difficult! Not many people really understand. I am so stressed, but I am so happy!! Man. I don't even know. Can I extend? PLEASE!? The other Sisters came and picked us up for a random blitz of their area so we went with them up to Dunfermline. So that was fun. We made some brownies in honor of this momentous occasion.

Friday we came back and we taught "L" with Alison (Sister Wilson) so that was good! Sister Jackson had a doctors appointment over in Edinburgh so we went there and the doctor took about 5 minutes to tell her she was fine. So that was upsetting because it took forever to get down there and back.  So then we ate some burritos and headed back home. 

Saturday, we had a ton of lessons. We saw "F", this sweet little old lady out in Thornton. She is so great. Then we saw "J".  He is 85 years young and interested in the plan of Salvation. So we taught him about that. We saw (another guy) "J" after that and we shared the Conference talk by Elder Bednar with him. That was really good too! We had Dinner and then did some paperwork at the Church. Fun stuff. Then we went out to Coal town of Wymess and saw "M W". We go and visit her every Saturday. She is too funny! 

Sunday, we had the Primary Presentation so that was good! We signed for Andrew and Us sisters and Elder Livingston and Elder Bradshaw sang a musical number in Sacrament "Called to Serve". It was scary, but none of us died, so that was good! The primary kids did sign language during one of the songs and the smile on Andrews face was huge! I seriously almost started crying. I love this work. I love the way it touches peoples hearts. I love how sweet kids are and the spirit they are able to bring! I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Next week we will email normal on Monday again!! ~Sister Stribling!!

Rainy, Zone Meeting, Exchanges to Dunfermline, & more

 The beach at East Wymess! So pretty!

This week has been so rainy! I can't even count the number of times I have had to change my outfit haha oh man. Waterproof things are a must! 

Monday we didn't do anything really fun because it was pouring down rain! So we went to the library and got some books about knitting. Fun stuff. Got some yarn too. I made Sister Jackson some house boots so that was fun. We slept for a while. Fun stuff. Then we went over to the Thompson's house for Family Home Evening.

This week we had a Zone meeting. We have a new initiative. We are inviting people we see on the streets to be baptized. Crazy huh? Well, if you are never invited you will never go. So we have been doing that. Most the time people say no, but we have been able to set up some appointments with new friends thanks to it. 

We saw "J" this week. He is doing well. He has been really busy at work so he hasn't been able to come to church so that's sad. He talked to us about how he wants to be baptized after Christmas time so we are working with him. It's crazy to think Christmas is only in a few months!!!

We had Exchanges this week! I went out to Dunfermline with Sister DeMille. She is too funny.  Went and tried by a few people, taught a lady, "M". She is really nice. Had dinner with Evelyn and her family. They are so funny! We had meat casserole. I think that is what it's called. I can't actually remember too well... Man. Exchanges are so much fun. all the time. Oh and Sister DeMille had Starbursts so she shared them with me. How nice huh! 

This week we have been trying really hard to get in contact with people but no one seems to want to answer their phones or doors. So sad! But we will still knock and call. haha CRAZY MORMONS! We called one of our investigators who is 93 (years young) his name is "R". He is so funny! Every time we go to his home he always tells us stories about the war and about what it was like and all of the things he has been through in his life! It is crazy!!

So I was reading a talk in the Ensign this week and it said the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, The second best time is now! So go plant a tree!! or two! Get to planting! 

Oh and a quote for you, "What can't be cured must be endured!"- Ray Joyce

Well Everyone Thanks for reading! I love you all! I hope that you all have great weeks!!

(Don't forget to write a missionary...WRITE ME!!!!  Please, and Thank you!)

 We went to the caves today! 

A ship. You have to look pretty close!

Oh Kirkcaldy....

Us and Alison Wilson after watching General Conference Session 

So just in case any of you were wondering, Kirkcaldy is pronounced like Kir Cah Dee. Good stuff. 

Well... This week has been rather event-less so let's see what I can come up with to try and entertain you for a few minutes... Well this week we had our P day on Wednesday so that was exciting for a change.

   Monday we spent out on the streets. Talking to people that is and trying to share some happiness with them. They didn't want it..."Maybe later". We went over to the Thompson's house for Family Home Evening with our friend "E". She is so great. 

  Tuesday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEYNA! if you even read these... Also if you are reading this please send me your address. I need it.. But I lost it last time, so send it again. Thanks. You're a moose. Tuesday we went and taught "J". He is doing good. We taught him about Family History so we will be trying to help him with that. Family History is so great! I learned a few weeks back that some of our family on Grandpa Harry's side (my Mom's Dad) is from Dumfries right here in Scotland. Good stuff! It was pretty exciting! Please everyone stay calm! We also went over to Smeaton Road. We were trying to find this man but he wasn't home so we will try again this week! We had our Sign Language class and only 2 people showed up. That was just sad. Hopefully it will get better this week. 

  Wednesday- P DAY! Woo. So we went and tried to find some caves out in Wymess. But, we didn't find any. We found a cute little cave like thingy but not a real cave. Haha so funny story. Well not too funny. I am just super clumsy. So I was standing on this ledge thing. More like a slope by this overhang thing. And I don't know what happened but I totally got all off balance and I almost fell off! But luckily, I just fell down and hurt my knee a little but I was still alive! PHEW! We also took some cool pictures on this rock. So we had to go and hop like frogs on the dry rocks to get to the big rock and then monkey climb up the rock. Totally worth it. We just wanted to reenact a picture the Elders took. 

  Thursday- We did our Weekly planning that was tons of fun, (not actually) and then we had some Jamaican Jerk Chicken sandwiches for lunch courtesy of yours truly. Good Stuff. Then, we went and saw "L and S". We talked to them about what they want to do about baptism because "S" has not been feeling too good. So we are gonna hold off. We are still going to go over and share scriptures and stuff. Man, I really hope she gets to feeling better soon!! After that we went over to the Bousies house. Haha man they are so funny. I can't even put it into words. We had dinner with them when I ate my first HAGGIS. Oh man. It actually was pretty good. It wasn't as nasty as I had imagined. It was actually pretty good. 

  Friday we went and visited some Members, the Laughlins. They are doing good. They are the ones we helped with their wallpaper a few weeks back. It was pretty fun! They got a new rabbit, so that was cute! Then we went out to Dysart and saw "A" (Investigator). She wasn't feeling too good.  She had just got out of the dentist, so we will try to see her this week. We had some dinner, went out to Coaltown of Wymess, and saw "M.R." She is so good. She came to Conference on Saturday and Sunday! WOW! We found this cute little cupcake shop and so we went in and got some delicious cupcakes! mm! Salted Caramel is the best! 

  Saturday, our day was filled with eating at Frances' (Member) house in Thornton. She is the best. We talked to her about Conference and she told us if we come back to visit with our families she better be the first person on our visiting list! Then we went and watched the women's session of General Conference and the Saturday Morning session even though it was like 5pm. It was so good!! 

  Sunday, we watched Conference. It was the best. I love General Conference. It was great. 3 New Apostles!!! They are called of God! Our wonderful Prophet! He is The Lords Prophet. I was so uplifted by Conference I have learned so many things. If you don't know what I am talking about go watch it! https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng there you go. My favorite talk was by Elder Vinas. He talked about how we can become Sanctified (or Holy) We need to give up ALL of our desires and wants and do the things the Lord wants from us. It is so great to be able to find happiness and joy in keeping the commandments of the Lord. It will always bring you Happiness. You can not find joy in evil. 

I love you all!!!! I hope you have a good week! What was your favorite part of Conference!?? ~SISTER Stribling