It's the best day ever...(Spongebob voice)

 



Well. WELL. PLEASE< let me tell you about my week....

MONDAY! We went and did our P day stuff. Clean, email, groceries, well actually we didn't need groceries so scratch that part. We walked around the town, good fun. We went to the BEACH! YAY! I love walking by the beach! And I took Sister Stevenson to my secret sea shell finding place and she is too good at finding them! But in this place you can find Sea shells as big as your hand! WOAH. I know. So we did that, Then we went and had dinner with Sister Elizabeth Smith, She is AMAZING! so nice. she even gave us pancakes to take home because Tuesday is pancake day! woop woop!

 It was really windy!

Groomsport beach! 

 

 

TUESDAY! PANCAKE DAY! Yeah baby. Man. I love pancakes. We had District meeting so we had to take a train to Holywood and then we walked a wee bit to the Church got there before everyone else... it was cold out. We should get a key from them... good thought Sister Stribling. Well, after that we came home and had lunch.. pancakes. then we went and tried by some of our friends. no luck. We went and had dinner with the McCandless' they are so funny. We talked with them about repentance. good stuff. Brother McCandless is now making me give a talk in sacrament this next week so that will be fun. After that we walked to the High Street and talked to people good fun. Not too many people were drunk so that was good!
 

WEDNESDAY! 

Okay so on Sunday we were fasting to know which area of our area we should work in. Our area is HUGE> so we wanted to focus on one area. As we were praying I felt so strongly that we needed to go to this little fishing town called Groomsport.  So I told Sister Stevenson and she agreed. So we went! We walked 4 miles out to it, took some cute pictures along the way, it was like a country road. So quaint. so we had some lunch. walked around a bit talked to some people, then we prayed to know what we should do. Well Chap  He answered so Chap we did. On the 5th or 6th house we met this guy named "C". He is from MISSOURI! Woah. Me too! And he invited us in. We were talking to him and his wife and he told us how he is a pastor over here working. So we talked to him, asked him some questions, and as we were leaving he asked us for a Book of Mormon. Now everyone let's review. I am from Missouri, he is from Missouri, his wife is from Missouri.We are all like 4000 miles away and we meet in Northern Ireland because we got an impression from God to go to a small fishing town.. Yeah, someone try to tell me it's a coincidence. try it! It's not. Heavenly Father is in the small aspects of our lives. He knows what He is doing. All the time. We went to Sister Wards for dinner, She is lovely! As we were chapping we met a guy named "M" and he said we could come by tomorrow and teach him. He wasn't in when we came back.. How rude. If you are not interested, please tell me. Don't make me waste time. BLAH!
 

THURSDAY~

We did our weekly planning, called a million thousand people, no one answered, lame! But we went over to the Crawfords home and had lunch with them then we went and saw Dorothea. she is good. We had Dinner with John and Emma MacDonald, they're hilarious. and they gave us a box of Chocolates! WOO! Score! And they told us if we are ever walking by their house and need to take a trampoline break we can use theirs! how nice!? and they gave us some fresh eggs from their chickens butts.

 My little duck friend (: his name is Flynn



Peacocks!!! Woah

FRIDAY~
I almost died. I was just really sick. I have been getting really bad headache lately so it's no fun! But we went to visit Sister Ried, she is so nice, she gave us a bag of groceries, talked with her. She has great stories! Then we had Coordination with Clem, our Ward Mission Leader. He's the bomb. Then we came home for lunch and I took some medicine. We did lots of Finding in the city. So, I have these cough drops with peach juice in the middle... its the most amazing thing ever, just thought I would share.

 



SATURDAY
We taught "R"... she is so good! And we did a little service for her. Good stuff. Next, we tried by "C" and "F". Neither of them were in. Sad stuff. But we were able to set up a time for next week with "C". did a TON of city finding. Then dinner. mhmm. That was our whole day.

LOVE DAY! (Sunday) or lack of love day. HA!
Church was so good! Sister Wendy Martin gave a talk about the converting power of the Book of Mormon and it was amazing. She is the best. I like her. We were walking around talking to people, went to some members houses, went to see the Geddis', They found out no one fed us that day so they made us dinner. HOW SWEET! It was seriously the nicest thing I have witnessed in a while. They are just so full of love and service. We shared a message with them about John 3:16, the Spirit was so STRONG! This week I have learned a lot. I am so happy that I get to be a missionary! I LOVE YOU! (Happy Valentines Day!)  SISTER STRIBLING



BANGOR 2! Good stuff

Mine and Sister Prescott's last picture! 

WOOO! YEAH> WOO!  How's it going? I am good. (: 

So... this week in the freezing cold mission of Sister Stribling, we can start with 

Monday: 

Cleaned, packed some stuff to move flats because we have traded with the Elders. haha so funny. Their flat was closer to my new area so it only makes sense! Good stuff. So, we did that. Emailed, Went to see some members because both of us were leaving. Did some finding in the city, well actually in the town center. 

Ben Peacock and me

Tuesday:

We went and saw the Peacocks. They are the bomb. We went and had dinner with the Coulters, they are too cool. Yeah that's about it. Well, did more finding in the town and that's good stuff. Chapped some doors, but no luck. 

look at our fridge! Aint she pretty! so much happiness

Wednesday: 

MOVES DAY! WOO! So we got up, cleaned the flat, packed it all up, and then at 9 am Margaret Watson came and got us to take us to Belfast. SHE IS AMAZING> I LOVE HER> Even though she thinks I am a silly sausage. We hung out with her, went to lunch, it was the bomb. American breakfast, mhmm.  Then we went grocery shopping and got all the stuff we needed. Then we came home, said bye to Margaret, packed and cleaned and ate cold pizza and waited for the Elders to come move all the stuff to our new house (: Such helpful Elders they are! So now in our district it's just us and the Elders. 4 people. haha smallest possible district. First time for everything I guess. Just us Sisters and Elder Allred and Elder Richards. We might keep them for a little bit, because they help us out!

me and Sister Stevenson

Thursday: 

I got Sister Stevenson and we have settled into our new area (BANGOR 2) rather nicely...ish. I can't believe I am whitewashing two areas in a row. Crazy stuff! The Lord knows why, and I sure as heck don't! We met with our ward mission leader, Bro. Macdonald. He is so funny hahaha it's great. Then we had dinner with his son Roy and his wife Andra, they are so nice! 

 

Friday:

Did our weekly planning, did some finding around our new area, got lost. Traveled to Dublin because we had an All Ireland meeting. Good Stuff. Man, how crazy is it that our mission does that. We are so lucky! 

call me crazy but I would not take a bath in there.. Way too cold.
​



On the way home from Dublin

Saturday: 

ALL IRELAND> We had a General Authority come and visit us. Elder Hallstrom and Elder Obando came with him. They are both so nice! Elder Hallstrom is from Hawaii, so that was cool. I was talking with him about it. Really all everyone talked about is how we need to prepare for when we are home and having kids and stuff. And also how we are all children of God. It's true! We are so special! I hope you all know that. God is actually there. He really hears you. He will answer you. I know he will! 

Then after the conference we came back on the train.  We actually we missed our train and had to wait for an hour and a half.. blah. When we got back we met with the Bishop and his family and had dinner with them. They are so wonderful! We helped them at the church to set up chairs and stuff so that was fun! 

feeding pigeons in the train station



posh train!!
 

Sunday:

First Sunday at the new ward. Sister Stevenson and I were invited to share our Testimonies (: My testimony is all about families. We have one, we belong. We can be together forever. for Eternity, and beyond! When we are sealed in the Temple, we have the ability to be with our spouse forever! Never settle for less! I love being able to be here and to talk with people about how they can enjoy these blessings! After church we went and met some families in the ward and we chapped some doors. There was a big rugby match going on at the same time so no one answered. Sad Stuff. So then we walked around the town, met a man named Mark, and talked to him about the Book of Mormon. He said he actually had one in his bedside table to respect us. haha I said "Well Mark... look respecting us by doing that is great, but it's not gonna help you at all if it's sitting in your drawer, s go read it!" haha he said he would and so we gave him our number and it will be great! 

Hey, I love you all! You are so great! Keep pushing forward! Be good! <3 Sister Stribling

Goodbye Bangor!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Bangor 2...

MOVES CALL!!!!!!!!! Okay everyone! Are you ready for this!!??? I am moving to...... Bangor 2nd ward. wooo! HOW EXCITING HUH? A whole 20 minutes down the road. haha this is definitely the craziest moves I have had.. But we will be switching flats with the Elders so that's exciting! Yay!

I drew all of our district as dinosaurs. HA! it is so good. 

 



Okay now let's see what has happened this last week. Hmm. Well, we had exchanges, like double exchanges. Sister DeMille and Sister Wagner came over form Edinburgh and Sister Wilkinson and Sister Skousen came up from Dublin and we blitzed Bangor. It was crazy!!! We did finding all day! like 12 hours of street contacting. As usual no one really wanted to talk to us so that was lame... but we did it! So in our flat we have a kitchen table in our living room with 6 chairs around it. And since we moved here in November it has been my dream to fill it. Now, frankly it is impossible because the Elders aren't allowed in our house, But, 6 SISTERS ARE! My dream came true! Yay! I am such a nerd.. ha oh well.

 

The little harbor by the town center here in Bangor

 

And uh... SO, my boots died this week. Got some new ones. hmm anything else exciting... It snowed again! I was running around trying to catch them, haha such a child. And then it was sunny for like 2 whole days! CRAZY! Well here are some pictures of this week

 

here in Bangor it is so windy!! Crazy stuff!

SNOW! it was such a good day!

 



Well everyone, Life's good. I love you all! here's my new address:

Sister Stribling

54 Church avenue

BT20 3EG 

Bangor 

Northern Ireland.

 

send me letters!

 

Mom note:  So I failed to post weekly blogs for Sister Stribling for quite a few weeks now (for many personal reasons) but I apologize and will be posting them backwards as best as I can...

Please note that she is currently in Northern Ireland and has just been "moved".  Her return date is in 9 weeks from Tuesday on 4/12/16.

Sick, Adventurous, Rainy, Cold. I love it.

Mini Mish Reunion Pic "borrowed" from Azariah McCarthy-Kelly's fb profile page

Sister Kelly in the middle lives in Limerick & served a mini-mission in Glasgow last year @ this time when Sister Stribling broke her toe shortly after entering the SIM mission field.  Her first companion Sister Dias and current companion Sister Prescott are shown here at a recent gathering/conference.  We are all blessed to have Azariah and her family for all that they do to help the SIM missionaries!

Well, I have just accepted the sad fact that I will probably be sick all winter. Oh well. Let's move on. So this last week had been kinda crazy. In between of being sick and trying to rest, we have been pretty busy. On Monday... we didn't do too much. One of the members of the mission presidency came over to our flat for a visit.. Fun stuff. Did I tell you that last week?! I can never remember these things!! 

Okay hold on one second. ALL of the Elders have yelled at me because last week I called them lame in my blog/email. Dear Everyone reading this...if you have an Elder here in Bangor Northern Ireland.. Sometimes they are lame.. It's true.. Other times they are really nice and helpful. Sometimes they send us on wild goose chases to find them ping pong balls. They are all crazy.. That's that. Sometimes they bring chocolate to our front door when we tell them to, other times they drive by and laugh at us when we are drowning in the rain. But really, they're great. 

Okay so back to Monday, We went on a wild chase to find the Elders some ping pong balls because that is what they wanted to do for p-day. Fun stuff. I am horrible at ping pong btw. They are really good though. They just don't want me to play because I cheat too much. HA! Fair enough. We had dinner with the elders and we went over to the Bleakley's house, on Maxwell road! I took a picture for mom (Mom's family name) but I forgot my camera at home today.. so no pics today...hopefully next week.

Tuesday we had our District meeting. Good stuff! our District leader, Elder Perkes, he is so good! Seriously! He helps us out so much! But, I don't know whether it's because he wants to or because our mission president makes them be nice to us.. Haha no just kidding! He really takes time to do things that help us out a ton! Like this week we did Finding in the city with them. I don't know what is different about it but it is just different. They were in shock because a man with ear phones in stopped and talked to us and we were in shock because they are really dang good at stopping people. Things to learn. We got hot chocolate with them because they were feeling down a bit and asked me how I deal with it, to which I replied, Chocolate! Chocolate is the answer to everything.  Had dinner with Lisa Crawford.

Wednesday we went and taught our friend "J", with Sister Lisa Crawford. It was good. We read in Alma Chapter 32 with him. He is going to try to pray for help to gain faith. He is definitely an interesting person! That's for sure!! He's great. After that I was about to fall over dead so Sister Crawford took us home and I had to sleep. She is so sweet though!!! She went and got me soup and tissues and orange juice and medicine!! SHE IS SO LOVELY! I was just in awe when I found that out. Had dinner with the Coulters.

Thursday, turkey day. No turkey :( oh man...I will have to double up next year (; haha! We went out and we tried by a TON of people who used to be taught by missionaries. Good stuff, but none of them were interested, as per usual. We Had dinner with the Peacock family and they are great. Their son is coming home off his mission soon so they are all excited about that. Man...I don't even want to think about going home! Mom, Dad, I am never coming home. sorry. 

Friday, we went to Newtownards and painted "Z's" house for her. So much fun! We got paint all over ourselves. 

Saturday, we had coordination and then we went to Newtownards with the Elders and did finding out there.

 

Sunday, Church was so good. There was talks all about the Europe area plan, bringing a friend, becoming self reliant, and finding an ancestor, So good! We had lunch with the Bowen's, they are from South Africa. They are so funny. And we had Dinner with the Harkness' and Brother Harkness was telling us all about his crazy mission stories! So funny. 

Hey, I love you all!!!!! Lots! And I hope that you are all doing well!! My ponderizing scripture this week is Alma 37:17....go read it and ponder on it.... 

The Lord will always remember us!! No matter what! love you!!!!!! ~Sister Stribling    

(Don't forget to write a missionary!  Do It!  please)

I met an Apostle!!! Elder M. Russell Ballard

I AM SICK!! I might die. Okay, I wont die...but I am sick. Sister Thompson bought me some medicine, like a ton of medicine. So that should help me! I will survive everyone...don't worry!!

Well, let's just jump right to the point of this whole email this week...I met Elder M. Russell Ballard of the quorum of the 12 Apostles in Dublin, Ireland. He shook BOTH of my hands!!! Woah...Watch out! I am his favorite. I know it. 

---Ha funny insert story--I was talking to President Donaldson at lunch time on Saturday and told him, "Hey President, sometimes I tell people I am your favorite just to make them jealous. And he said, "Sister Stribling I do the same thing." Haha too funny huh?! end of funny story---

 I love Irish rainbows!!!!!!!

Elder Ballard is so funny! He is such a nice man! I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be here in Ireland and to meet him. It was great! He told us many things like ways we can become better teachers, and it has really inspired me. I mean can we all just think about it for a second...every day we teach people. I don't care who you are, where you are, WHAT you are, You are a teacher, at least that's what I (Sister Stribling) think. If you think otherwise, let me know why.  So, I teach people about Jesus Christ and how they can know him personally and how through him they can return and live with their family forever. Even though we may teach well and people can understand us, things seem to be going alright, I mean, people get baptised. So, I am not the worst teacher because they understand, but, I can always be better. So that is my goal. I need to be a better teacher! I am working on it! Studying things out more and really understanding what it is that I am supposed to do. It might take a while but it's a start. 

One thing that we were invited to do is to bind ourselves. It was really interesting actually. Elder Kearon of the Seventy talked to us about it and how we need to be willing to act. He said we can feel the spirit and if we do not act, it will leave, and those feelings will disappear. The spirit invites us to change and to do. It is a good thing to do. Think about how many times a day we feel the spirit and how many times do we ignore it? I know I do it all the time!!! It is so easy!  But, as I have been trying to notice the spirit talking to me more, I have been feeling a lot better about when we are out talking to people on the street and really just in everything! It's great! Do it! 

This week we haven't really done much, we had our exchanges with the STL's (Sister Training Leaders) in Dublin. So that was fun. Sister Wagner also came over to Dublin so I got to see her. She is great ahah! Being at the MTC with her was the best! Yesterday...I hit my 13 month mark.... EW! That is horrible and it makes me so sad! I am never coming home! Sorry Mom and Dad. (; Anyway, we took a forever long journey on a bus back up to Bangor. haha Busses are so bad! There is no way to sleep comfortable on a bus. I have tried every single way! No Hope.

Sunday night, we had dinner with the Elders in our District. They are alright... they can be lame sometimes but we are whipping them into shape. Haha, if you can call it that! No just kidding! They are actually really great! They help us out a lot! So, yeah, I think that is about all of our adventures for this week... Um...I have been having some pretty crazy dreams lately.. need to stop drinking hot chocolate before bed.. hahaha 

Hey, I love you all!! Be good!! WRITE TO ME OR I WILL be sad.. 

Sister Cedara Stribling

4 Ava House

244 Clandeboye Road

Bangor BT19 1QB

Northern Ireland

My favorite kind of Sunsets!! All pink.

Bangor!

The 3 ferry Sisters! Me, Sister Skagen, and Sister Muller 

Well. Let me tell you I thought Kirkcaldy was cold.. WHOA it is freezing here! And rainy. Way more rainy than ever before in my life. Well this computer is old and crazy so I might have to make this one short for the sake of actually getting it sent! 

   So on Monday back in Kirkcaldy we went and saw some people and said bye. Then we went and had Dinner with "J" and Heather Thompson came with us. "J" is so wonderful. I am so excited to hear about his baptism and all that good stuff! Oh man I sure do miss everything in Kirkcaldy! But...I do like it here in Bangor so that's good too!

 

 The bridge..... In Kirkcaldy

 Me and Alison WIlson (: love her! 

   Tuesday was more of running around with our heads chopped off trying to talk to people and finish everything so we could leave at 6. Sister Raferty came and helped us move some chairs into the flat and took us to dinner and to the train station. It was so nice of her! We got on a train to Dundee and then I left Sister Jackson there and got on another train to Edinburgh. Then from the train station Sister DeMille and I walked to the Sisters flat. I am surprised we found it! Well, we walked to the Mission home and then got a lift to the flat. We didn't even get lost! Go team! 

   Wednesday was so much travelling! We got on a bus at like 7 and then we got to the ferry and had a 3 hour Ferry journey. It wasn't actually that bad!!! Thanks for all of your prayers...they worked! I didn't even get sick! So we got to Belfast, took another train to Bangor, and the stake resident picked us up at the station and took us home. The members are so good it's exciting to be here! We walked around the city and tried to get lost so that we could find some new ways to get around. Then we called everyone in our area book and 2 of them said we can see them this week. So that is exciting! 

 Cool kids on the Ferry. Me & Sister Skagen and Elders Perkes, Carmichael, Jaroz, Yip

As we were walking into the city on Saturday I got this feeling that we needed to go and chap a certain street, so I told Sister Prescott and we went. No one was interested! Until we got to the very last door and met an old guy in a run down house with broken down cars all around it. He had met missionaries before and told us we could come back again! Then Saturday night we were trying to find out where some members lived, (the Harkness' family) because we were having dinner with them. Well we found it and had like 30 minutes, so we decided to chap some more. The second door we chapped on, this lady let us in! She told us about how she had lost her husband last year and how she wanted to see him again. So we taught her and she told us we could come back in a week. It was so exciting! She is wonderful! 

Here in Bangor it's good! So it is! Everything is new and exciting! I'm just trying to get the hang of this whole thing. Wish me luck! Thank you for your prayers! I love you all!! 

~Sister Stribling

Moves Call--to Northern Ireland!

 Cool spider web as we were exercising outside 

Well, if you all haven't heard yet... I have been summoned to Northern Ireland! I will be serving in Bangor near Belfast. I am excited!!! My new companion will be Sister Prescott, It's funny because I lived with her when I was in Glasgow! We lived together for like 8 weeks. So it will be so good!! We will be Whitewashing in! Crazy! So neither of us has been there. Man it will sure be an adventure this transfer, oh  and Thanksgiving is this transfer.. Hopefully there are some Americans there (; haha too good. Only bad part.. Getting back on that ferry... I may die... so stay tuned for next week... (mom note--Sister Stribling got so badly seasick the first time she crossed on the ferry during transfer from Glasgow to Limerick...so please pray for calm seas for her on Wednesday move)

Now just to bug Sister Kate Bloomfield (; IT IS FREEZING COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And raining.. The street near our flat has flooded!!!!!! It was crazy! but it gave me a good excuse to wear my wellies so I was happy about that! Scotland just has to rain so much so that everything can be all green and pretty! I guess it is a sacrifice we all need to make! 

Monday this week was normal, so that was good. We went with the Elders to KFC. Oh man, I love KFC. So that was fun. Did some emailing, did some grocery shopping and then we walked around the town looked at some charity shops fun fun stuff!! We had Family Home Evening with the Thompson's. Our friend "E" came and it was really good. We talked about how we need to S.M.I.L.E! In 2 Nephi 9:39, To be Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal. It was really good and we made some rice krispie treats mmmm. 

 We were in charge of watching the Thompson's house for 15 minutes. 

 Made toffee apples 

(DONT worry, we cleaned the hob)

TUESDAY we had our District meeting as usual. Elder Livingston is pretty cool. We did some fake chapping. So we had a "True to the Faith" book and we had to open it to a random page and then teach that person about whatever it said. Now there were some crazy ones in there. Like "Hey we are just out talking to people about death." haha.. yeah they would have just shut the door for sure. Or when we flipped to the Law of Chastity, of divorce or some other crazy things in there. It was really good though! We were supposed to be trying to find new ways to talk with people so that's good. Sometimes when you are chapping you can get so bored so that is no good. It makes it so much more fun and interesting when you switch things up a bit! After District meeting the Elders made us some pasta for lunch. They're nice to us sometimes... We were walking over to the bus station and we met this guy named "F" and we were talking to him but he wasn't interested. So we asked him about his family and if he had any advice for us for when we go home.. Haha so "F" said, "Look girls, you need to take your time, I got married when I was 32. and when you find him[or her I don't know what you like] you will just know! You need to look for the sparkle in their eye, and if they don't have it, move on." Wise words from an old Scotsman. He was too funny. Later on we had Sign language class and learned to sign a hymn so that was good!

Wednesday, we walked along the pram talking with people. It was cold, so they didn't want to talk to us very much. haha oh well! We still talk! We had some lunch after that. I think I made broccoli cheese soup but maybe that was the other day.. yeah I don't know.. We walked over to the old flat to clean everything. Good stuff (not really) It's gross. But not anymore! We cleaned it! Not done yet though. A little more to do but since we are both leaving the new (incoming) Elders will have to do it! then we went and taught "J" with Alison (Sister Wilson) and we went over his baptism calendar. We have taught him everything now! He is praying for a baptism date! 

Thursday, we walked along the pram again. We do that most mornings just so you know. There was a man fishing so we went and talked with him, mostly because I wanted him to offer me a go. He didn't.. so we talked to him about fish and how I used to go fishing with Dad. But he is too patient for us and we always get so bored and want to leave... but he doesn't let us leave until everyone gets their 4 fish. He thought that was too funny. If you are ever wondering, fish the incoming tide. I hear its better. We saw "L" with Sister Bloomfield and that was good. We read in Ether 3 with him. Miracles happen!!

Friday, we went to Ladybank to see our friend "A" with one of the members there named Amy. The lesson went good. "A" said that she will write down the blessings that she sees each day so that's exciting for her. We went and cleaned the old flat a little more, then we went and taught "J" with Sister Brown. Friday was a pretty busy day. We missed the bus and ended up taking the train, so that was fun. It was WAAAYY shorter than the bus. 

We took the train! It is so crazy to me. trains.. hmm. 

Saturday, we saw "F" as usual.  Our bus broke down while we were at the bus station so we were sitting there for like 15 minutes and then a new bus finally came! Sheesh! We were only like 20 minutes late and "F" wasn't mad so it was all okay! We tried by some of our friends in Coaltown of Wymess but none of them were in!!! Crazy! We will miss them! 

Sunday was so good! Remembrance Sunday. Everyone wears poppy's to remember all of the lives affected by the wars. We also stand for 2 minutes in silence. I stood with Sister Gowans. She is so sweet! I love her! We went to Elders Quorum this Sunday. That was exciting! We had to go in order to sign for Andrew. It was too funny because they all (the men in Elder's Q) didn't know what to do! After Church we went over to Sister Gowans house and had lunch with her. Then we went and tried by "M", but she was busy so we weren't able to go in and talk with her. Later on, we got our shocking moves calls. Sister Jackson is going to Stornoway and I am going to the North! 

Sister GOWAN! I love her!!! She gave me an old copy of the Book of Mormon.  

This week has been something crazy. I am grateful for the time that I have had to be here in Kirkcaldy and to learn and grow with all of the members here. I am excited for this new adventure! Love you all!! ~Sister Stribling

Week 52ish .....Woah!

Well...This has been a pretty exciting week so it has! We have traveled so much and had so many meetings and lessons and we moved flats!! WOO! 

Sisters McBride, Dias, me and Jackson.. I blinked. 

It all started out on Monday when we had our Sisters Conference. It was really good!! Sister Stewart and Sister DeMille picked us up and drove us down to Edinburgh. We had some little classes and people talking to us about everything from our personalities to how to accessorize...too funny!! I found out that my personality is very unique to say the least.. haha! Most people were spread out over, "hurry up", "be strong", "please others", "being liked" and there was another one but I don't remember (the label). But for a whopping 24/25 points, I got "be strong"! Thanks Mom. HA! It was scary accurate. We had a lesson/demonstration thingy about food and that was exciting to begin with.. And then they told us how to eat healthy, so we are practicing that! After our Sister Conference we went to see "M.R.". She is the best! Every time we go there I leave about to wet myself. She is so funny!! (Don't worry people, that was sarcastic.. I don't actually pee on myself.. that would be really gross....) 

Tuesday!!!! We had District meeting in the morning and Sister Stewart (my last companion) is in my district so it was just like old times!! Haha too good! I seriously love her so much! She is going home in 3 months!! And Sister Dias (my very 1st companion) is going home in December!! Ah All of my favorite people!! So sad! We learned about using our time wisely and how we can be more effective while we are finding and teaching people! We chapped a street called Cairn street. That was good. I don't know what time everyone is supposed to be home but everyone always seems to be out and about! We will need to find the best time! We sure do chap a lot of doors! We had our Book of Mormon class. We are on 2 Nephi 8. It's good! Read it! We also had our Sign Language class and we learned a section of Doctrine and Covenants. Exciting stuff! 

Wednesday!! We had a lesson bright and early with "J" at Sister Brown's house. Oh man, let me tell you...the Spirit was there. And it was slapping everyone in the face basically. It was so STRONG! God is real. He is there. He Listens to us, and He loves us. We have invited "J" to be baptised about 99 times now. He knows the Church is true, but he feels scared, which is totally understandable. I mean it is a HUGE decision! This last Wednesday, "J" felt the Spirit. I know he did. And he wants to be Baptised, so we are working with him to find a date that he feels good about. During the lesson, I felt the Spirit so strong. Probably the strongest I have ever felt it in my life. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church on the earth. That is true. I know it. After "J" we had some lunch and then we went with Sister Bloomfield to see "L". We read with him in Mosiah chapter 24 about trials and how we can overcome them. "L" is so wonderful. He is so prepared! He feels the spirit so much! After "L" we went and saw our friend "E" and her gran. They are both doing really well. We chatted with them and then walked home in the freezing cold rain and that was fun! It is the best when your flats are already soaked and so then you can jump in as many puddles as you want because hey, your flats are already soaked, so it doesn't make any difference! 

Me and Sister Jackson waiting on the bus that we found out our passes were expired & so we had to walk 30 minutes to our lesson and we were late! HA!

Thursday! We did some papers and we had lunch with Sister Sally Brown. She gave us Shepard's pie, lamb, gravy and potatoes. It was really good! She is so great! She is like 90 yrs young and she still does everything in her power to share the gospel! She told us about this lady down the street and told us to go by her and talk to her. So after we had lunch and I hoovered her stairs then we went and tried by this lady she told us about, "F". She is sick but she told us to come back this week, so we will! We had dinner with the Lairds, Indian food, good stuff. They are so funny! 

Side note..-Some lady just came into the church and asked me to phone the police... Then she said she was going back to the mental hospital.. she just left.. Man, Kirkcaldy is interesting. 

Friday, We got a call and were told we have a new flat! WOOO! So we had to pack all of our stuff. We saw "J" again and the lesson was really good. We brought Heather with us. She is amazing!  So we taught "J" and we packed up our flat .

Saturday, We were on Exchanges for about 6 hours. Good stuff! I was with Sister Stewart again. Ha, I love her! And we went and taught "J" again with Sister Raferty. We invited him to be baptised on November 14th, but he said he wants to wait til January... Sad stuff. We prayed with him about it and he said he would like to get a blessing. So that will be good for him! We saw "M.R." again and talked with her about 2 Nephi 32. About why we need to pray and all that good stuff. She is wonderful! Then after that, we got all moved into our new flat. That was good! 

Me and 2 of the Bousie's kids. 

SUNDAY! Fast and Testimony. Always a good time. We went to the Bousies home for dinner after Church. Man, I Love them! They are so fun! We made them some brownies! (thanks for the baking stuff in my box ma and pa (; ) 

This week has sure been crazy and crawled by so fast! I love it! I love you all and hope you are well!! ~Sister Stribling

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!!