I Hate What Alcohol Does To People

Hey fam bam!
I'm happy to hear things are going well. I'm glad grandma's there to visit for awhile; I sent her a calendar awhile back. Did she ever get it? How are the cousin's? I sent them some things too, but I’m not sure if it got to them either. Is Aunt Ida going to be coming too?

Some of my favorite lines of the week by those under the influence:

• "Oh look, I can tell that THOSE ladies are full of the Holy Ghost."
• "I'm Angel fire, watch me fly away."
• "No, no you've got it wrong. We're not going to heaven; heaven's coming to US.... (pause for dramatic effect)"

I hate alcohol. Its way sad to see how much life it takes out of people and how much damage it does. It freaks me out how grown people become so much like little kids when they are wasted.

Excerpt from Lauren's companion Hermana Batchkoff's missionary blog:

We met a borracho (translation: a drunk) who was outside his apartment. We were on our way to an appointment, but he was outside, so we went up and talked to him. He tells us his name is Angel Fire, and he has his 40 right next to him (At first I thought she meant a 40 caliber pistol, but I'm sure she means 40oz can of beer. Whew!). And we did what we do! We started bearing our testimonies to him, telling him that the restored gospel is on the Earth, which will take us back to our Heavenly Father with our families, while his friends are inside laughing at us. Hah. And he says, "You know what, “We're not going to heaven, heaven's coming to US." I felt SO BAD, not being able to say anything, knowing that I would start laughing if I did. It's so hard when we meet people that try to look for completely wrong ways to justify their sin to make it feel right."

We learned how to make pupusas this week; we epically failed at the ones we tried to make last week so Hermana Gallardo helped us out to make some that were pretty awesome. They are an awesome El Salvadorian food, you should look them up.



Hermana Batchkoff & Hermana Perez
holding a plate of Pupusas
(El Salvador's version of the tortilla, only thicker
and often stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat.)

OKAY this week has been busy! One of our investigators is going to be baptized this Saturday and has been excitedly been working through the addiction recovery manual. We told him, just do one step a week. Next day: "hermanas ya cumpli 3 pasos!" aka, he'd already finished 3 steps.... yeah! He is one of those people that seem so prepared. He loves church and is excited for the changes he's made in his life and how much he's been blessed for them.

Hermana Batchkoff with Salvador,
one of  their investigator

Teresa was at church yesterday!!! She is a woman from Cuba that we have been teaching for awhile, she is awesome! She has a son Christian who is twelve and takes care of this cute little child who is two. She has already read quite a bit of the Book of Mormon. She really likes it and is very well read in the Bible. She compares a lot of the Book of Mormon to the Bible and loves how much they fit together.

We have met so many people who are such hard workers and such incredible examples. They sacrifice so much to make a better life for their family. Hearing stories of how much people have been through in order to get here to the US humbles me and makes me so grateful for the sacrifices of all those in my family who have made so many of the blessings and freedoms I enjoy possible.

Dad~

Ha! Oh dad, you know I can't watch the news. If you and Brenden become a part of the atmosphere I won't find out till next Monday. Soooooo.... try to stay in one piece you two. =) (Robin & Brenden went on a High Adventure hike up to the volcanic mouth of Mt. St Helens in Washington.)

Mommy~

I love you. That was sweet what you wrote. I'm glad you don't think I’m dumb for my dreams. I would Love to do both, but we'll see what happens.

Brenden~

We're going to go through you're room when I get home and.... organize! I brag about you and your tough bee keeperness to my companion. You rock!

Little KRYS!!!~

I'm still waiting on that letter. Hope everything is going good babe?  I'm way happy you enjoyed your time with mommy mom in Nauvoo.

Lex and Michael~

How are the kids doing? Hey guess what, if y'all decide to have a baby any time soon I’m cool with that. Because I’ll be home to greet the little rascal into the world by the time it is born! PS I saw the engagement pictures mom sent on the flash drive. Y'all are way cute together and the pictures turned out way good.

Grandma Perez~

Thank you so much for  the food and candy it was awesome to get, and the letter was just beautiful, it made me cry a little, I love you and Grandpa tons and tons!

Grandma Daily~

Grandma!!!! I'm doing very well!!! I'm so glad you got the calendar, ha don't worry about it. I'm so happy you have this time to be on vacation with the family! I wish I was their too, I miss you!!! I LOVE being here with so many Hispanics, I was in El Paso for a long time and now I’m in Albuquerque. Funny, I felt safer in Texas that I do here in New Mexico. But I do feel safe, just more cautious; the Lord is really protecting me. Ha, I’m working on my Spanish, it’s getting there, I still make many mistakes, but I’m very happy to be learning it. I have loved being with the Hispanic people, I am learning so much and feel like I have learned so much about the Hispanic part of my family that I have always had so much respect for. Thank you grandma so much for your faith an example you have been in strengthening mine. I am so grateful for the memories of reading the Bible and Book of Mormon with you. EVERY time I sing or play “Gran Eres Tu” I think of you and how it is your favorite song. I learned it because you had told me it was your favorite and love thinking back to when we sang it together. I love you so much Grandma and I’m so happy to see you when I get home, have an amazing time. I talk about you a lot to people and how great of an example of faith you have been to me growing up. Thank you for your example Grandma; you are a strong, strong woman.  I love you and hope you are enjoying yourself in Oregon! Your missionary granddaughter.

I love you family, keep being righteous.

Hermana Perez