July 2nd, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! The longer we are away from the United States, the more we realize how blessed we are to have so many freedoms that we take for granted. As we have been entangled in government bureaucracy with immigration for almost 2 years, we have come to appreciate the timely manner in which America generally operates. At least you get a response to questions asked. You may not like the response all the time, but you usually get one.

We enjoyed having the missionaries over for a Fourth of July BBQ on the third of July. Hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, and strawberry shortcake. I think they had a great time and perhaps got a taste of home as well. We were in Tobago this past weekend visiting our little branch there. Dad was hoping to interview and find a new branch president, since his family is moving to the states next week. It is always difficult when there are 5 Melchizedek priesthood holders and only one is worthy. The candidate is thinking about the challenge and hopefully will accept.

We leave tomorrow for Zone Conferences in Suriname, then the ABC's and then wrap up in Guyana. We pray the flights will cooperate as the schedule is tight. One of them goes through Miami again and so Dad is hoping that there is enough time to taxi to PF Chang's again. The crazy thing is that you spend more on a taxi to go there for lunch than your lunch costs. But what we do for Chang's Spicy Chicken and lettuce wraps.

It has been a humbling couple of weeks in Trinidad, with special baptisms and missionary experiences. We have had 2 baptisms of strong brothers who will be very helpful to priesthood ranks. Sadly, Dad has also had to inform an elder that his father has liver and kidney cancer and let one of our sister's know that her cousin was killed. These are some of the highs and lows that we experience in a given week. How grateful we are for the gospel that offers hope and light to the darkness of some of these events. 

Harper, we are so proud of your choice to become baptized last Saturday! Being 8 is great! We missed being there with you, but know how happy you made your Heavenly Father and Jesus. Now you have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. What a great blessing! You are the newest member of the church in our family. Remember to listen to the still, small, voice.

One year to go on our mission....11 Fast Sundays to go. Yikes, that will go faster than we think. As excited as we are to count down, we also want to make sure that we have accomplished all th Lord needs us to do while we are here. It can be overwhelming to have so many more things you would like to see happen, but we know that with the Savior's help we can do all things.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

Love you all,

Trini and Dad