Star Gazing On The Roof

Comments and or translations in bold blue, italics are from Lauren's mom.

Hey family and friends!
Nery & Amarilis's family are doing very well! They both have made quite a bit of progress in the last month or so, they seem to be so much happier too. Amarili's and two of her daughters, Estrella and Bianca have baptismal dates that we are working hard to prepare them for. Amarilis's might change if Nery and her decide to stay together and get married. We'll let you know what happens. It's been a little difficult to visit them recently, because I was sick last week, but I’m feeling a ton better. We're going to keep working hard to help them feel ready to take these important steps.

We met with Miguel last Monday. He’s a very good man. His daughters lost a friend to leukemia this week. She is around our age. I think that’s been very hard on him. We’ve been praying for him and we hope that he will continue to accept the gospel into his life.

Hermana Jardine, Sister Eteaki,
Hermana Perez,  & Sister Kinikini Having Fun.

Hermana Jardine, Sister Eteaki, & Hermana Perez
star gazing on the roof.

Sister 'Ete'Aki, Hermana Perez, & Sister Kinikini
trying to stay warm on the roof.

Excerpt from Sister Jardine's mission blog (Lauren's missionary comp) ~
We stayed with our favorite sisters!!! Sister Eteaki and Sister Kinikini... amazing!! At night we got to do work in their area with them.  It was so fun to meet new people and teach in English for a little while. We all kept laughing saying it was too fun to be work. One night, we got to go out on their balcony/roof and star gaze..... Taking in the peace around us. It was such an incredible push for Sister Perez and I. We didn't realize how much we need to relax a little more and enjoy every minute.  I learned so much from them..... I swear people don't know HOW to be stressed in Tonga, and why should we be??? Ha-ha. :) It made me realize that worrying in life can wear you out.  "Worry about what you can change, and forget about the rest.

Sister Perez and I work so well together and are so good at rolling with the punches. We put our heart and soul into it, and are doing so good. We're playing soccer as a finding activity. We're also helping with family history. I can't believe the changes this area has been making. Even through the rough dry times, we've had faith. On Monday we received a text message from the referral system. They gave us a name of someone who was interested in meeting with the missionaries from the church website. After much opposition, we were finally able to give him a call. His name is Miguel. He'd given the church a thought a time or two, but he has come to truly believe it for himself and wants to change his life."

Love you all tons and tons!!!