Happy Valentine's Day!

Malo le soifua!!!!

This week went really well. I was kinda stressed going into the week because we had a lot of stuff to get done but it all went smoothly and according to plan which I was extremely happy about.

Our baptisms went really well. The spirit was super strong and I know it was something they'll never forget. The three people we baptized this week just kinda fell into our hands. Kovia lives in Sale'imoa which is about an hour walk from our house. We had been teaching him since November I think. He is such a humble guy and really has a strong desire to come unto Christ. It was really fun to watch him grow in the gospel and open up to us and desire to know more.

Matthew and Sharon are brother and sister. Matthew is 10 and Sharon is 12. We had taught Matthew a while back but his dad said he didn't want him to be baptized yet. He changed his mind and allowed us to visit with Matthew and Sharon as well. They were so fun to teach. They just loved learning about the church and every lesson we were laughing and just having fun.

Our baptism this week is the wife of Tinei. That one guy we baptized with rasta hair. It's funny because everyone knows him as "Rasta". Most people don't even know his name. When we first met them, she said she was baptized but we called the bishop to search for them and he confirmed she was baptized. Then like a week later, he said she wasn't. Then like a week before Tinei's baptism he said she was so we didn't baptize her. And then just last week bishop walks in to our class at church on Sunday and says she isn't so she is getting baptized this week!  It was a lot of back and forth, but we're all excited we finally got to the bottom of it all.

This week I have been reading from D&C and I came across a scripture I really liked. Its D&C Section 133 verse 53.

Faapea mai le mau,

"In all their afflictions‍ he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed‍ them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old."

He knows us perfectly. He knows what we're feeling and knows exactly how to help us and I'm so beyond grateful for that knowledge. He lives. He loves each one of us entirely and perfectly.

alofa lava atu ia te outou

-Elder Tana

Matthew and Sharon's baptism

Kovia's baptism

This week we received the e-mail below from his ward mission leader:

Hello sister Sterner
Well I am Temple, your son Elder Sterner is in my ward he's serving here and he's a great missionary. I got your email from him earlier after our baptism. I know it's so hard to received photos of him in his mission so this is why I get your email so I can send you pictures of him will send pictures of our baptism earlier we have 3 earlier :) have a great day and God bless.
Love,
Temple Leaupepetele

It was so cool of Temple to reach out to us.  Here are a couple of the pictures he sent to us.  It looks like they're having fun while working hard.....