I'M A MOM!!!! ❤

¡Hola queridos!

Sooo, on the mission when you become a trainer you become a "mom", you love your companion like your own daughter! This means I'm officially a mom! I'm excited to introduce you to my my nueva compañera/daughter, Hermana Gonzalez! Did I trick her into thinking I only spoke Spanish for the entire transfer meeting up until the very end? I most definitely did. And did she completely fall for it? Yes, yes she did. Hahaha! It was a great way to break the ice, we get along SO well and I love her! We have had a great and very eventful first week together. I never thought I would have a Latina companion since I'm a native Spanish speaker but here we are just killing it. (also SO grateful I don't have to teach her Spanish, the Lord knows I don't have that much patience... yet!) She is a Paraguayana, she's so funny and hard working! We are different in many ways yet hold the same love for the gospel so that has allowed us to establish a great friendship and love for la obra misiónal Here's a cute picture of us hugging for the first time when President announced companionships. (How adorable are President and Sister Huntsman in the background? I just love them, they're seriously like parents to us. Pretty sure I could dedicate an email to bragging about them... stay tuned.)

Sad news, DJ is struggling hardcore... please keep my bff in your prayers. He's going through a really hard time and things aren't looking too good.

The Columbian investigator is doing so well! She passed her baptismal interview and then her mother-in-law had emergency surgery the week of her baptism which made things hard cause her father-in-law was supposed to baptize her. Her mother-in-law's surgery made it impossible for them to travel to Virginia from Pennsylvania. But her mother-in-law is all better and they should be coming this week so we can move forward! She has made many friends in the ward and loves it! We love her!

This week we saw so many blessings. We received a call one night from our zone leaders about a less active member who wants to come back to church and wants his 11 year old daughter to take the lessons. This little girl instantly fell in love with the gospel, brought her inactive family to church on Sunday that led to getting their records from their old ward, them loving our ward and deciding it is time to come back. This little girl is reactivating her father, grandmother, aunt, uncle and niece. She is also a spiritual powerhouse and got really emotional in our lessons this week. She has such an old spirit and this thirst for the gospel of Jesucristo even though she is so young. She reminds me of myself when I was her age, so curious and desiring of a relationship with God. She is also set for baptism this month. Her and her family can't wait. Here's her and I at church on Sunday. I love her SOOO much!

I have my first baptism this week with the woman from Peru's husband!!! I can't believe the time has come. I feel like just last week they were on the verge of divorce and their relationship was so unhealthy and NOW we go over and they're either serving each other, cooking together or cracking jokes. And when he's at work she just talks and talks about the incredible change in him and how his decision to repent is blessing her life and the life of their newborn. AH! I just love them so much, I wanna pack them in my suitcase and bring them home to Utah with me! I never want to leave them! My dear Tia Karry was saying how their example is proof this is the work of God; what 19 year old girls can save a marriage? They can't! It's the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord is saving their marriage through us. What a privilege it is to be His hands here in the DC South mission. I know that as we follow Him we can all be His hands and help move forward the work in these days.

Here's my new district! Literally everyone is new to Little River except for Elder Andrus (The district leader) and I! We now have an all Spanish district so that's exciting! I was told my cheeks are getting chubby in my recent pictures so basically there goes the last of my self esteem. Hahahaha! I'm kidding! I am going to be honest though I have had to get rid of some skirts... hahaha! I love you wonderful people! I will talk to you all next week! Don't forget to serve someone to today! Los quiero! 

Con amor,

Hermana Tapia