Guys....I'm Leaving!

Hahaha no, I'm not leaving the mission, I am leaving Old Town and getting transferred!! I am just as surprised and confused as you all are. I have completed my first transfer and am now being moved to a new area called Little River in preparation for becoming a trainer. I can't think about being a trainer right now, I just got here! But anyways, here's some awesome stuff from this week:

My first day in Old Town I met a wonderful family who had a son who had been inactive for many years. I made it a goal to help him as much as possible but he didn't seem like he wanted to listen to us. Suddenly this last week everything changed. We met with him after he opened up to us and had 2 amazing lessons with him. We had the most sincere lesson on faith and how one thing is to have faith and another is to act on it. This young man felt he had failed at acting on his faith and we were there to get him get back on track. He is so devoted to getting over his drug and alcohol addictions. It was so great watching him grow and seeing that determination. Saturday night we received a message from his mother who is an active member in the church. She thanked us and told us she had almost felt as though all the missionaries had given up on her son and that because we reached out to him her prayers had been answered. Can we just stop for a second and talk about the power of the faith of a mother? I am convinced it can move mountains and change hearts. I felt the power of his mother's faith as I testified to him and that made all the difference. A big reason the 25 year old wanted to change was for his family. I now understand the stories in the Bible of the mothers whose faith healed their children. I know that still happens in these days. It was beautiful watching the Savior change that young man's heart, something I will treasure for a long time. I cannot wait to one day teach my children about faith (many, many years from now, don't worry!)

We had a Charla Fogonera this week where recent converts and returning members get to speak and all of the Spanish missionaries come and listen. It's such a spiritual event and also SO fun being with all the spanish speaking missionaries.  Next week I will post a video of the musical number I sung in! Singing is something Hermana McCracken and I do a lot as we testify and it is such a powerful way in which I bare my testimony. I hope you will enjoy it!

Hermanas in my zone.

We met great people this week that were really interested in our church and some were SO excited and willing to learn more. One woman in particular has a sister in El Salvador who is a member of the church and had been looking for missionaries and guess who happened to knock at her door? Hermana McCracken and I! We taught her and her nephew the restoration and the spirit testified the truth or it to them, it was sweet to see how the Lord is really preparing them. Sadly, I will not be able to teach these people anymore since I am leaving the area but I am grateful I got to meet them and know the Lord has wonderful things in store if they are willing to follow the plan He has for them.

Hermana McCracken and I got to go to the Arlington, VA temple this week! Hahaha I'm totally kidding, this is the George Washington Masonic Memorial. I'm excited to share pictures with you from this! The historical sights here are so fun to visit. I'm actually going to George Washington's home after emailing today so that will be in next week's email!

This week was so wonderful.... I cannot believe I am leaving Old Town. I love the people here so so much. I have devoted the last 6 weeks of my life to loving, serving and teaching them and I did not expect to be moved so quickly. It has been so hard to prepare to leave but this is a reminder that I am here to do the Lord's will and not my own. Yikes, imagine the world if it was all according to the will of Hermana Tapia, that would be a mess! I am so grateful it is instead according to the will of an all knowing and loving father in heaven. Tomorrow I start my first day in Little River and I am excited to let you all know how it goes. I love this work, I will continue giving it my all. Love you wonderful people.

My district

Con amor,

Hermana Tapia