"Pray About It"

Hola a todos! 

These last two weeks have been crazy busy and AMAZING! It's consisted of 2 Zone Conferences and I had to train at both (I made up a rap for chapter 11 of PMG, let me know if you want the mix tape). We also had exchanges with the greatest sister missionaries. Which is basically a day where we trade companions with a another companionship. It is always a good time because the sisters here are just incredible. They are all so diligent, loving, spiritual and hard working. I have learned so much from them! I'd have to say my favorite part of the mission is the people I serve and serve with.

I'm just going to jump in to my favorite stories of the last two weeks:

Any time my companion and I don't have the answer to each others questions we will sarcastically respond, "Pray about it." This is done so humorously and basically means, "I have no idea." This week I found myself telling that same phrase to a sweet recent convert family (except not sarcastically). The mother, daughter and son were baptized in February. The father however, wanted nothing to do with the gospel or missionaries from the start. In fact, he even hid from them! Wednesday night we met with this family and the mother expressed the struggles they are facing not having their father be a member of the church with them. They were very emotional and I felt the love and concern they had. I felt inspired to invite them to "pray about it" but as a family. To pray with faith that his heart will be softened and that little by little he can begin to learn more about the gospel. They promised they would do it that night. Fast forward to Friday. This family had signed up to feed us dinner. As the mother opens the door we are surprised by the huge smile on her face. She invites us in and standing there in the livingroom is her husband. He greets us and welcomes us in. We were seriously confused but I was too excited to waste a second. I quickly introduced myself and surely, together they took us out to dinner, and we got to know him (he's hilarious and we got along really well). We even got to briefly teach the restoration of the church to him and introduce the Book of Mormon. We bore a strong testimony that this message would bless and strengthen his family. He promised to read the pamphlet we left him and come to church. I still remember his wife's face... just so happy and could barely contain it. As the dinner ended and she hugged me goodbye I softly said to her, "the Lord always answers the prayers of faithful families." I know this is true. I strongly believe that if you have any righteous desires or need help with a trial you face you can always "pray about it". Oh! We are also teaching the sister of this member and she is AMAZING! We love her so so much, we taught her this week and she came to church and loved it. Her progress is so fast it's overwhelming but an answer to our prayers as well.

One more story! Last week Hermana McCracken and I kindly asked a woman on the streets who was NOT interested in our message if she knew anyone that could use service or an uplifting message from God. She looked around and pointed at a random house and said, "She is hispanic, go talk to her." And so we did. She turned out being a member from Honduras who didn't know the church existed in Virginia so has been less active for 3 years!!! We had a lesson with her last week and she never showed up for church. This week we go to see her again. She explained that she is nervous about going because she feels unworthy as a result of all she has done since she has stopped going to church. Hermana McCracken and I both love this member so much and could both relate to her in different ways. She asked why God would allow her to fall away from the church if it was true and if He loved her. We talked about the restoration of the church and when we talked about the apostasy (time when the gospel wasn't on the earth after the death of Christ) I felt inspired to ask her why she thought the Lord would allow His children to be without the gospel for a time. She answered something around the lines of, "Well... they rejected the church, so it's their fault. And maybe they needed to see what life was like without the truth so they could value it more once it was back on the earth." Then she stopped to think. I smiled at her and she realized I had made her answer her previous question about why God would allow her to be without the truth for a while. The spirit was so strong and she really opened up to us. We watched the Mormon Message "The Will of God" which I invite EVERYONE to watch- it's incredible and makes me sob like a baby every time. I know that God loves all of His children, even if and when we fall away from Him or when we sin. But when we repent and come unto Him we will feel that love so much stronger and we will, just like K said, value His love and His gospel so much more if and when we return.

Random stuff:

• There are fox EVERYWHERE in this area and I am terrified of them. They walk around our apartment at night and I freak out every time.
• It's finally getting warm over here! (goodbye leggings)
• Last night as we were getting into our car to leave an unsuccessful area we hear a man out of breath yell to us "MORMON MISSIONARIES! COME TO MY HOUSE PLEASE!" Someone was running after US!!! They were an amazing Indian family that ended up feeding us, showing us their traditional dances and had been taught 2 years ago but lost contact with the English sisters. #rightplace #righttime
• I've been super duper sick so keep me in your prayers. :)
• Finally feeling settled in with the Sudley ward, the members are great.
• We are finding great people that are so prepared, I can feel the Lord's hand in the work that we do and we feel so so loved.

Well, another week has come and gone. My comp reminded me that last Monday was my 8 month mark and I was shocked. This is going by way too fast! I love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful Spring. I know we sure love the heat over here!

Los quiero mucho, have a great week!

Hermana Tapia