The Trio in El Río

For those of you that don't speak Spanglish and don't understand my title this week I am in a trio! I have TWO companions now, Hermana Doyle (Utah) and Hermana Johnson (Idaho). My new area is called Little River (Río Pequeño) and I love it so much already! The ward is so powerful and loving! One of my favorite things about the mission is meeting the members in our wards. They are basically like my family on the mission! 

I need to talk about my investigator, we will call him DJ (He's literally a DJ and one of the coolest people I have ever met). DJ is what we call an eternigator. He is a man in his mid 40's from Bolivia that has been taught for a little over a year now and has so many questions. We met with him almost every single day this week and is now one of my best friends, we love him so much! He had questions about the gospel that I also had before getting baptized and we just clicked! He is progressing so much and guess what.... he told us two days ago that he wants to be baptized now! Hermana Johnson who has been in Little River the longest was shocked, she said he had never been so determined to get baptized. He is really receiving a testimony of the Book of Mormon which is WONDERFUL. And as of last week he has been bringing another friend of his for us to teach! Already a missionary!  :')  I cannot say how grateful I am to have met him, he is the best and I cannot wait to update you on DJ every week! Also, he is trying to stop drinking coffee so he invites us to drink hot chocolate with him every morning at McDonalds and we read in the scriptures with him, haha! It's awesome.

Also my district also covers the area of the Mandarin speaking Elders and it is so fun having district meeting with them. Our mission covers many languages because it is so diverse I love it!  We have awesome investigators, members and leaders in Little River and my companions are some of the kindest and most Christ-like young women I have ever met. I love them so much. I am excited to continue working here! 

Last P-day we went to Mount Vernon (home of George Washington)! It was amazing and so interesting. For some reason history is a lot more interesting on my mission than it ever was in school... haha! I feel so blessed to be serving somewhere with amazing historical sites that I have the opportunity to visit.

I am going to conclude this email with a brief testimony of the Plan of Salvation. Many people on this earth do not know the purpose of their lives here on earth along with where we will go after this life. This is something I teach a lot on my mission. The Plan of Salvation answers these questions, it teaches us that we are here on the earth to go through trials and progress to one day live with our Heavenly Father and loved ones again. As I teach this message it changes lives. I hadn't realized the importance of this until my grandfather passed away almost 2 years ago. I was reminded of the importance of it as I received news today that someone very important and close to me was once again diagnosed with cancer. This loved one of mine was told she is in her last days and should expect to pass away soon. I got the news and could do nothing more than cry. Then, the Plan of Salvation came to mind. This peace covered my body and I was reminded that this is not the end. My goal is to share this peace with everyone I meet. I know we will see our loved ones again one day. I wholeheartedly believe God has a plan for us, that no matter who you are or what you have done this perfect plan can help you find your purpose in this life and can bring peace when loved ones pass away. I invite you all to learn more about this plan on Mormon.org.

I love you all and really needed/appreciate all the loving emails this week. I know God has a plan, I do all I can to follow it and I trust him, even in these difficult moments.

Los quiero mucho,

Hermana Tapia