Three Nice Policemen With Guns Were Guarding Our Complex For Christmas

(The comments and or translations in bold blue italics are made by Lauren's mom)
Christmas Eve was amazing! That's when most of the Hispanic Christmas festivities occur. We visited several families and met some new friends, so it was a good day. We went up to the Catholic Church town square that evening with some members of the branch. It was nice.

President Miller gave us a consecrated missionary packet, which has been really good for me. I played piano in sacrament meeting. We had five women and three kids in Relief society, that was funny in a sad way. I’m guessing/hoping people were out of town with family stuff. Rafael came to church! His family said they were going to, but they slept in, which is sad, but we're glad he came.

Christmas evening we drove into our complex and found that there were three nice policemen with guns guarding the complex for Christmas? Maybe they were trying to catch someone, who knows. You'll be happy to know that Hermana Jardine and I talked Christmas day about being more safe. NOT THAT ANYTHING HAPPENED, we just figured that it would be a good thing to talk about. I’ve asked people what places around town we should stay away from and no one has given us any specific answers. We're careful. We follow the rules. We have the Spirit to warn us. We're staying safe. President Scott blessed the sisters with a protective shield of safety. We're being smart. So yeah, we're good.

Excerpt from Lauren's companion Hermana Jardine's mission blog~
Last Thursday we had a tri-zone Christmas Zone Conference with the northern half of the mission.  It was absolutely incredible!!! We got up at 4:30 am and caught the 6 am train down to Albuquerque.  We spent the day with President and Sister Miller, and all of our fellow Elders and Sisters.  Incredible talks, musical numbers, a fun talent show, and a great Christmas dinner, Christmas ham. ;)

Christmas Zone Conference.
Lauren is in Zone #3.

Daddy~
Have fun with Brenden while mom and the girls are gone. Run errands!!! You're awesome too!!! Thanks for all the hard work you do.

Momma~
DRIVE SAFE to Idaho!!! Why do you have to drive to Idaho to buy Alexis a wedding dress? (Because we can actually find a wedding dress that has a modest neckline and sleeves in Idaho.) I think that Kiwanas Thrift store is the place to go for a wedding dress. You'll be in my prayers.

Alexis~
HA! you're getting married. Hey, have you thought of investing in a cardboard cut out of me for the wedding line. I'm going to have to write one of those threatening, "take care of my sister or else" speeches to Blackfoot (She calls Michael, Lexies' fiance, "Blackfoot" because he is from Blackfoot, Idaho and because she's not very happy that he's taking her best friend away from her.)

Brenden~

WAY TO GO!!! on the swim meets! I'm so proud of you! Group Dates... hmmm, I remember those. Dating is good, but don't hold hands with your date. That's how you get parasites.

Krysten~
Krys....sing loud for mom and Lexie, so they don't fall asleep in the car on your way to Idaho. Make sure that Lexie chooses a dress that you like a ton because you'll probably wear it when you get married twenty years from now.

It was great to talk to you all. I love you s-o-o much! I love being here. It has been such a blessing to see the joy and love that this gospel has brought into my life. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. Thanks to his sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many others, we have the fullness of the true gospel of Jesus Christ on the Earth once again.

Have an awesome New Year! Love you all!