every missionary's dream

Oh! I'm so excited, I just have to share this! I received an email last week from Erick Peraza, a young father I met while serving as a missionary in El Salvador. Here is a small excerpt. . .

Hermana ya soy una bendicion, y el compartirla con ud. El 11 de octubre fui llamado como obispo de barrio el trebol, le estaremos agradecidos de por vida por habernos dado lo mas lindo el evangelio de jesucristo.

Hermano Erick

***(Sister, I am now a blessing and I share it with you. On October 11, I was called as Bishop of the Trebol Ward. We will be [forever grateful for receiving] the most amazing thing - the gospel of Jesus Christ.)

Me with the Familia Peraza on their baptism day - May 2004

This family - Erick and Beatriz Peraza and their daughter Maria Jose - was one of those "golden families". We found them proselyting (the most "ineffective way of finding" ha ha) and they'd never heard of the church (they were Catholic from a long line of Catholics) but when they heard the gospel for the first time they knew they had to learn more. Hermano Erick began attending church alone at first because Hermana Beatriz worked as a nurse on Sundays. I remember him coming with his blue Book of Mormon in tow. He asked a lot of questions and did his research. I remember his excitement when he would show us something he'd read or tell us a spiritual experience he'd had. After a while, they started coming together. Their ward, the El Trebol ward, did an amazing job fellow-shipping them and welcoming them into the fold. It was awesome to watch. They were baptized together at the end of my mission and we've kept in touch ever since. In 2005, I returned to El Salvador for their sealing in the Guatemala temple - it was a beautiful experience. Over the years, they've served in several callings. With each one they learned new things and grew in their knowledge and testimony. And like his email says, last month he was called as bishop of their ward. My goodness! I'm just so in awe of this amazing family. They are so faithful, so diligent. They are such examples to me - they are first generation members of the church and they have completely dedicated their lives to the Lord. He says he wants his daughter (who is now 7) to come to BYU and serve a mission for the church. I love it!! I know any missionary could have taught them the gospel - they were just ready, but I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the chance to meet them - they are family and I love them dearly. They inspire me to be a better person.

first snow of the year!

christmas came a little early this year. . .

Last week, our friends Mata and Travis Uale invited us over to a Friday night dinner at their house. They are young, newlyweds who have no kids yet (and thus, have a life still) AND they are way fun, so we were a little surprised they would want to spend their FRIDAY night with an old boring couple like us, but VERY excited!

Friday came, we prepared a small salad, got the kids ready and headed over for our 5:30 dinner. After we arrived and said our hellos, we sat down and started talking, but we could tell something was up. Quickly, Mata took out a white envelope and gave it to us. Inside the envelope was a Tucanos gift certificate (for the reservations she made for us at 6), two movie tickets to "Blindside" (for 7:30) and extra money ("for dessert and popcorn"). She showed us the three Disney movies she had rented to watch with the girls and the macaroni and cheese she would feed them for dinner and then told us we'd better hurry or we'd miss our reservation.

I started crying.

We just sat their stunned for a moment and then fumbled a "thank you" and "uh, are you sure?" as they pushed us towards the door. I think we were both kinda in shock. This kind of thing doesn't happen to us every day . . . or ever. I couldn't hold back my tears on the way out the door . . . or on the way to the restaurant. . . or at any other time during the night when I thought about Mata and Travis. The whole night Wayne and I sounded like broken records as we continually exclaimed, "Oh my Gosh!", "I just can't believe it" and "They are SO awesome!" I swear, we were like two little giddy kids on Christmas. We had a wonderful time on our date - the restaurant was perfect and the movie was awesome (you should go see it!!) and when we got back the girls were fed, bathed and ready for bed . . . and I started crying again! ha ha



This was easily one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for us. I was so touched. I am so touched. I know they don't want any recognition (and I hope they don't mind me naming them), but it has left such an impression on me I wanted to write about it. Mata and Travis inspire me - they are completely unselfish, thoughtful and generous. I'm embarrassed to say that as newlyweds it never once crossed my mind to stay at home on a Friday night and pay for someone to go enjoy a nice dinner and movie while I watch their two young children. Their actions are proof to me that Heavenly Father shows his love to his children through the service of others. This Christmas season I want to follow Mata and Travis's example and serve. I'm forever grateful to them for this - and I'll never ever forget it. Thank you Mata and Travis!! We love you!! Thank you!

i heart soup night

If you've happened to see me on a Monday night in the past 3 months you've probably noticed a big smile on my face. That is because every Monday night is SOUP NIGHT! Soup night is a night I don't have to cook dinner, but instead get to enjoy a soup meal from a fabulous cook. Her name is Kimberly and she is a dear, dear friend . . . and one of the most generous people I've ever met. Every Monday night she makes pots and pots of soup for friends and family. She texts everyone in the day to notify what kind of soup she will be making (ie. tomato, corn chowder, chicken noodle, cream of broccoli) then gives a pick up time of when to go and get your soup. She has these little one serving mini pots that you bring back every time to get filled (we have four even though Malia and Kina usually don't eat a whole serving. . . Wayne and I make up the difference ha ha). Along with the soup, she'll usually prepare a bread, a salad and a dessert. Is that not just amazing? To make it even better, everything is from scratch and EVERYTHING is delicious.

Why does she do this, one might ask. I can honestly say it is from the goodness of her heart. She just loves to serve and make people happy. God has given her the talent to cook and she blesses his children with that talent. She truly amazes and inspires me - she is such a great example of unselfish service, sacrifice and love. Thinking about the gigantic task she takes on once a week honestly makes me think twice when I want to complain about feeding my family of four. I love her so much - she makes the world a better place . . . one bowl of soup at a time.

a bad week for latu teeth

What is it with teeth this week? In the beginning of the week, Wayne broke one of his teeth and will have to replace it. Five days later, Kina fell and chipped her front tooth. So, let's see. . .

1 adult tooth for Wayne
+ 1/2 a baby tooth for Kina
= BIG BILL FOR LATUS

Sheesh!

called to serve!

Sili is going on a mission!!! We are so sooo excited for her. We gathered late Wednesday night so she could open her call and she is going to the . . .

INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS MISSION!!!

My camera ran out of battery after I took this picture of Sili jumping up and down reading her call, so I don't have any other pics to post, but I think this one says it all. She is super pumped to go and serve the Lord and she is going to be one AWESOME missionary!!!

CONGRATULATIONS SILI!!

thankful friday - LATU FAMILY

So, it's supposed to be "thankful THURSDAY", but I had a busy day yesterday and didn't make it to blogging, soooo here we are today:)

This week (and for the last four years) I am very thankful for my in-laws, the Latu Family. I still remember when I first heard about the Latu's. In 2005, I came down for a semester at BYU and my very first night in Utah my cousin told me about the Latu family (. . . AND she tried to set me up with Wayne, but we'll talk about THAT later). She told me about an amazing Tongan family of talented musicians and scholars, but the coolest thing about them was they were also totally friendly, fun and sweet. The thing that caught my attention was the fact that there were 7 GIRLS and only one boy - I'd never seen a family like that! I immediately wanted to meet them. My second day in Utah, I got hired at the Student Honor's Association. I think I only got hired because the director is my moms friend, but that job literally changed my life ( . . . it's where I met Wayne!). I didn't know it when I got the job, but the Latu family had all either worked there or was working there - and that is how I first met and became friends with the Latu's! I liked them immediately. I was initially impressed with their beauty - they are all GORGEOUS! - but the thing even more impressive about them is their beauty on the inside. I observed as they served, befriended, included and loved so many people in need. It really was, and now is, inspiring to watch. They are such great examples of Christ.

Fast forward a few years to the present time and this family still doesn't cease to amaze me. Over the years, they have been there to help and support in every big event in our marriage - including our wedding, moving (four times), baby births, parties etc. Malia and Kina LOVE their aunties (Malia greets each of them by name whenever she's sees any of them) and they are absolute BLESSINGS in my life. They have this funny way of making it seem like I'm doing them a favor by letting them watch the girls. I so appreciate their love for Malia and Kina and their ever willingness to sacrifice their time in helping me. I love my sisters! I know I'm very blessed and lucky.

My parents-in-law are also especially awesome. Malia and Kina LOVE them. My father-in-law spends his only day off in the week with his granddaughters. Every Friday he plans an activity for them to do and does it with them. I feel the girls get so many rich experiences that they wouldn't otherwise get because of him. My mother-in-law is always available and excited to see her grand-kids. She takes joy in cooking for them, playing with them and just being with them. I know anytime they are at her house they will always come home fed and happy - it's such a comfort as a mother. I love to see my girls interact with their Papa and their Gramma and am so grateful to have such a strong support system. They also do that funny thing and make it seem like I've done them a wonderful favor because I let them watch the girls. Oh, the pampered life I live, huh. :)

Okay, I've written more than I was planning to, but I still haven't scratched the surface in describing all ways the Latu family has blessed my life. I'm so grateful to have married into such a great family. So . . . Dad, Kalo, Leo, Melba, Kina, Nia, Sili, Kika, Vai and Ti - Thank you! I love you all soooo much.

happy birthday wayne!!

Today is Wayne's birthday! Yup, the big 2 - 6. In honor of his completion of 26 years of life, I will write 26 things I love about my husband (I guess I'll have to narrow it down ha ha). In no particular order, I love Wayne because . . .

1. He loves me!
   
2. He's Tongan but raised in the mainland. I feel like we have a lot in common.
3. He plays the piano beautifully - love to hear him play
   
4. He is the only boy in his family and is close to his sisters.
5. He makes me laugh
6. He expresses his love everywhere, all the time no matter what. No shame (. . . I got a lot of embarrassing stories about this one, but, uh, . . . just take my word for it)
   
7. He's good at every sport he tries
   
8. When he enters a room, he brings in an energy with him - I call it waynergy! lol.
   
9. We can communicate in our "secret" language - Spanish (ha ha too bad everyone in Utah speaks it too!)
   
10. He's an AWESOME daddy and Malia and Kina ADoRE him
    
11. He's smart - at hard things like Chemistry
    
12. He puts up with all my mood swings, explosions, melt downs and faults. God bless him.
13. He's superbuff - just last week he benched 400 LBS for the first time ever! I don't really know what that means, but I'm still very proud ha ha
    
14. If he's home, he always gets up first in the morning to get the girls their breakfast, just so I can sleep a little longer.
15. He's a returned missionary and an eagle scout woot! woot!
    
16. He's a leader
17. He has goals and the potential to fulfill every one of them. I believe in him.
    
18. He's serviceable - I remember before we had kids he would take me to this nursing home every week where he played piano for the old people - I thought it was so cute.
    
19. He's handsome and always looks clean cut
20. He'll eat my cooking and say, "It's delicious!" even when I know it's not.
21. He knows when I've had a bad day and will try to make things better. . .even when he's had an even harder day.
22. Even when I look like a train wreck, he thinks I'm beautiful (or at least he makes me believe that he does ha ha)
23. Whenever we fight he's usually the first to say sorry
    
24. He doesn't spend money on clothes, cologne or shoes etc. (just on sushi he he)
25. He expresses his appreciation freely and often And lastly and most important. . .
    
26. He has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ

I love Wayne! Sure, we've had our ups and downs and will probably have a lot more of them, but we love each other and that will never change. I'm so grateful we found each other - I really feel he is the mate of my SOUL. he he. I'm excited to share many more birthdays together. Happy birthday honey!!

a great day for a rugby game

Actually, it really wasn't a great day for a rugby game - it was FREEEEZING!! When I left the house I almost didn't wear a long sleeved shirt because I was so hot, but as soon as we got to the field the temperature dropped. It dropped so much, in fact, that Tali and Shan were too weak to tough it out and left soon after it started ha ha. We were all there to watch Wayne. He ran with the Provo Steelers and made a try AND they won the game!! Unfortunately, I still don't understand rugby completely, but I still cheered very loud whenever he got the ball. It was a great day for a rugby game!



I had to add this one. Malia's face is cracking me up!! lol

the happiest place on earth . . . or at least in utah

On Friday, we went with Papa to the Children's Museum in SLC. Seriously, this place is AMAZING - the girls had SO much fun. The main part is a mini town for kids to play in. There's a house, a construction site, a grocery store, and a farm. . . among other things. Everything is kid size and you can play with it all. Malia was in HEAVEN . . . and the whole time I had to fight the urge to take her from what she was doing to go see and play with something else - there were just so many cool things to do!!


Malia played in this kitchen forever. She baked bread, washed dishes and went back and forth from the table to the fridge - totally in her own little world the whole time.

This was Kina's favorite thing - the water works. Nope, she didn't wear the water-proof aprons and yup, she got SOAKED! ha ha

After eating everything in the kitchen, Malia went to the grocery store to restock the fridge, I guess. ha ha. She even got to be her own checker.

Kina loved her teeter-totter and they BOTH loved the one person police car. . . at the same time.

On the roof, they had a life flight helicopter complete with moving parts and sound effects. The last time we were in a helicopter like this was when I was in labor with Kina! Memories!! Goodness, we've come a long way!

I can't say enough about this place. If you have kids you HAVE to go. It is so much fun. Only thing is it's slightly expensive - $8.50 a person including kids 2 and up - but if you spend a whole day there I think it's worth it. We could only tear Malia away when she got too hungry to play anymore. After several hours she finally came up to me and said, "Hot dog, mommy?" ha ha. Definitely the happiest place in Utah!

thaaaaaaaanks tiare

Last Sunday, we went to visit my Aunty Ireen and cousin, Tiare. While the adults were talking, Malia and Kina played around us with some toys they found. Soon, she came to me and said, "Mommy LOOK!" I looked down and gasped - A DEAD FROG WAS IN MY LaP! . . . and worse - IT WAS MADE INTO A PURSE!! Ewww! Oh my goodness. I guess it was a gift someone got Tiare from the Philipines - it was so gross - like, a real frog . . . made into a PURSE! Anyway, Malia carried it around the whole time we were there and when we were getting ready to leave Tiare INSISTED we take it home. I was like, "No. No, that's alright. Pleeeease no." but as you can see, I lost the battle. Malia now takes her little dead frog purse around everywhere she goes. Wow Tiare. Thanks a LOT!!! lol

thankful thursday - MY FAMILY!

Since Thanksgiving is in a few weeks, I thought I'd express thanks throughout the month on Thursdays. I should do it all year long and now is as good a time as any to start! This week I want to express my gratitude for my family!

My parents are some of the most generous, kind people I know. Everyone knows our house in Laie is ALWAYS open to a hungry student or visiting friend (probably cause my mom still shops at Costco even though only she and my dad are there now. ha ha). I respect my Dad so much for his talent and wisdom and my mom love my mom for being so caring . . . she's just very "momish". . . I love that. My brother Joseph is smart and helpful with English homework assignments. My sister Tali is super talented and always willing to help with a project I need assistance with. I swear if I had a dime for every blanket, dress or costume she has made for someone else I would be a rich woman. David is the handyman in our family (he takes after my dad). He builds, creates and fixes anything and everything - veeeeery handy. And Michael is our baby - he can pretty much do no wrong in our eyes ha ha. He is respectful, friendly and sweet . , , and sometimes forgetful (I got the gas mileage to prove it - I swear EVERY day when he was in high school I was taking a forgotten bag, shoe or assignment to school for him ha ha). Ah! I could fill up my whole blog with memories and funny stories, but I'll spare you and save it for them later. :)

I love my family dearly. I think I take them for granted sometimes and sometimes focus more on some differences we may have instead of our similarities. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to love them unconditionally because really, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I'm grateful for the good they are able to see in me and for the examples they are to me. I'm grateful for the fun we have when we're together. I'm grateful for my family!!