Hello hello!
Yeah, so the big news today is transfers! Drumroll please.... I’m staying! Shocker! My new companion is Sister Walker, and she’s a total sweetheart. She will get here on Wednesday. She’s currently one of the sisters that I’m over, so I’ve been on exchange with her a few times, and we always got along real well. I think it’s going to be a great last few transfers.
This week was good! Pretty crazy with it being Sis Mapa’s last one. We had a lunch and dinner most days, and even a separate dessert for the next couple... I’m so full. List all the time. I really don’t remember the last time I was legitimately hungry... lol. The Tongans do know how to eat!
It’s been really cool to have a smartphone. It’s nice, but honestly doesn’t really change anything. I keep my iPad, so the phone pretty much just makes it easier to text. The main cool thing is that it has a small data plan, so now if we need to, we can access the internet whenever, rather than just at WiFi locations. It even hotspots if we need it to for our iPads. It’s pretty awesome.
Also, I love my January gnome! I named him Gnigel, and he’s awesome. I think I win the “most gnomes a missionaries carries with them” award.
Jake is doing well. He had a hard week trying to find a job and stuff, but on Sunday he had s real break through! Among other things, he found out his tax refund will be coming in about a week, and will be enough to get his family home, officially! So 2 more weeks, with any luck. Though, I’m starting to feel like I’m jinxing it. But it really should work this time. Plus, one of the members just GAVE him a car! So now he doesn’t even need a ride to church. Still no job, but things are looking up! I’m happy for him.
Jai finally came to church yesterday! And we’re still not sure what’s going on with her and her husband. So... we’ll just keep doing our best with them, but the balls really in their court right now.
The other big news is that we set baptismal dates with a couple, Ulu and Leni. He lost his records, so is being re-baptized, and she has been coming to church for years, and just hasn’t committed... the main challenge for them was that they’re living together, but aren’t married... The date isn’t till June (far away, I know) but it’s because they’re waiting till then to get married so that Ulu’s family can fly in from Hawaii for it. But I’m so excited for them! This is such a big step for them. Plus, all 5 of their kids are baptized, and amazingly strong and active in the church. (Well, besides their youngest, who is 7). It’ll be great!
That quilt is beautiful! And how fun to be able to work on it together. Wish I could help! Thanks for the pics. It’ll be a blast to have William and Mariam up for the weekend. Have fun with them!
Well, I’d better go. Sorry, ran out of time. Love you so much!
All my love,
Sister Erika Marks
Yeah, so the big news today is transfers! Drumroll please.... I’m staying! Shocker! My new companion is Sister Walker, and she’s a total sweetheart. She will get here on Wednesday. She’s currently one of the sisters that I’m over, so I’ve been on exchange with her a few times, and we always got along real well. I think it’s going to be a great last few transfers.
This week was good! Pretty crazy with it being Sis Mapa’s last one. We had a lunch and dinner most days, and even a separate dessert for the next couple... I’m so full. List all the time. I really don’t remember the last time I was legitimately hungry... lol. The Tongans do know how to eat!
It’s been really cool to have a smartphone. It’s nice, but honestly doesn’t really change anything. I keep my iPad, so the phone pretty much just makes it easier to text. The main cool thing is that it has a small data plan, so now if we need to, we can access the internet whenever, rather than just at WiFi locations. It even hotspots if we need it to for our iPads. It’s pretty awesome.
Also, I love my January gnome! I named him Gnigel, and he’s awesome. I think I win the “most gnomes a missionaries carries with them” award.
Jake is doing well. He had a hard week trying to find a job and stuff, but on Sunday he had s real break through! Among other things, he found out his tax refund will be coming in about a week, and will be enough to get his family home, officially! So 2 more weeks, with any luck. Though, I’m starting to feel like I’m jinxing it. But it really should work this time. Plus, one of the members just GAVE him a car! So now he doesn’t even need a ride to church. Still no job, but things are looking up! I’m happy for him.
Jai finally came to church yesterday! And we’re still not sure what’s going on with her and her husband. So... we’ll just keep doing our best with them, but the balls really in their court right now.
The other big news is that we set baptismal dates with a couple, Ulu and Leni. He lost his records, so is being re-baptized, and she has been coming to church for years, and just hasn’t committed... the main challenge for them was that they’re living together, but aren’t married... The date isn’t till June (far away, I know) but it’s because they’re waiting till then to get married so that Ulu’s family can fly in from Hawaii for it. But I’m so excited for them! This is such a big step for them. Plus, all 5 of their kids are baptized, and amazingly strong and active in the church. (Well, besides their youngest, who is 7). It’ll be great!
That quilt is beautiful! And how fun to be able to work on it together. Wish I could help! Thanks for the pics. It’ll be a blast to have William and Mariam up for the weekend. Have fun with them!
Well, I’d better go. Sorry, ran out of time. Love you so much!
All my love,
Sister Erika Marks