Sister Ashli Nicole Stringer

The Open House is over and now we are preparing for the re-dedication on Sunday.  It's so exciting!  The last couple of days of the Open House were completely packed and I have just been amazed at the spirit of the temple and the way that it softens everybody's heart.  There is such a strong spirit throughout the tour and many people have come out and said to me "I feel something different in there".  Yep!  It truly is the house of the Lord.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I met a family at the VC that had just gone through the open house.  After having an awesome time together and feeling the spirit so strong, they agreed to have the missionaries come over and teach them in the home on the other side of the island.  I know the gospel is going to change their whole lives and I can't wait to for them to truly experience the blessings that the Lord has in store for them.  So, a week after I met them I ran into them again!  They were at the open house going through the temple again and they had the biggest smiles on their faces.  They had also brought all of their extended family with them to share what they had felt.  When they saw me, I was received with big hugs and kisses and they introduced me to their family as "our missionary".  They wanted me to give their family a tour at the VC but I still had 3 more hours on shift at the open house so they went to the VC without me.  When I got to the VC 3 hours later, they were still there and waiting for me so that I could spend more time with their family in the Visitors' Center!  It was a very rewarding experience for me knowing that I have been blessed to be a part of the Taylor family conversion story!  The coolest part is that my childhood friend from PG, Sister Edwards, is the missionary that is teaching them right now.  Yay they are in good hands!  I am still praying that Sister Edwards and I will get to be companions soon....that would be so cool.

 

To celebrate the end of the open house, Sister De made a delicious cake for the 4 of us in our condo and we ate ALL of it.  Best day ever.  As I've reflected on the things that I have learned since the beginning of my mission, I think the aspect of the gospel that has been emphasized to me the most is the importance of the Plan of Salvation and how big of a role Temple worship plays in the grand scheme of things.  Serving near a temple, even if its not currently operating, has brought such a special spirit, understanding, and depth into my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  The endowment truly is a gift, the best kind of gift, and if we are worthy enough to receive it and to go back again and again, we must be doing something right.  The Lord is pleased when we worship Him in the temple.  Our understanding of the Plan that God has for us is deepened and we are given the spiritual knowledge and strength that we need to stay on the path that brings us joy.  I love the temple!!!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I love you from the bottom of my heart!

Sister Stringer

Dear Family and Friends!

I have received such an outpouring of love lately and I have to express my gratitude.  If I could I would give you all a big hug (in Hawaii its ok for us to hug everyone because its cultural haha).  I will try to get letters in the mail soon....the Open House ends on Saturday.

My sickness is back again....man I was doing so well.  My doctor is getting ready to send me to the hospital for more tests if we don't see more improvements in the near future.  I've been thinking a lot about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk about simplifying and slowing down and I just keep thinking "well how in the world am I supposed to do that on a mission?".  Have I come to any real conclusions?  No.  I'm still working on recognizing that my best is good enough and that I can't do any more even though the expectations of others may be higher than what I can give.  I'm still working on doing my best and then giving the rest to the Lord.  Somedays my best is just getting out of bed in the morning.  Somedays my best is just smiling at everyone in the VC and telling them that they are loved.  Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I can actually stand long enough to give tours.  My best is my best and I'm always willing to serve in any way that I can.

Cool story.  So last week Friday we heard rumors floating around that Elder Holland was in the temple giving a tour.  I was down at the VC and I was so sad that I wasn't helping with the Open House for that shift so that I could see him.  An hour later I was sitting in the chair reading my scriptures, I look out the window and start having a heart attack because it looked like Elder Holland was walking down the path towards the VC.  I wasn't really sure if it was him....he was by himself...but as he got closer I knew without a doubt that it was indeed Elder Holland.  The doors opened and I greeted him with a big aloha and he came up to me, shook my hand, and then gave me a hug and asked me about my mission.  He kept his arm around me (he said it was ok even though I was a missionary :) ) as he met the other sisters.  Wow.  I have documentation to prove it!  I know that he truly is called of God, that he is a special witness of Jesus Christ, and that the Lord is mindful of me and loves me.