Consider the Lili(es) in the Swamp

Que tal?!

I have come to the conclusion that Virginia is a swamp. There is no better way to explain this place. It is a swamp. This week we reached the 100's and the humidity was crazy. But, I sure do love it!

This week we had a super fun 4th of July with members, investigators, other sister missionaries and lots of good food! Hermana Bertagnolli street contacted in downtown Herndon before the fireworks and met so many interested people! Blessings of working hard even on 4th of July night! We might have snapped a few pictures in between....

This week we were having one particularly REALLY crummy day. All our lessons fell through, no one wanted to hear our message, we were tired of walking around all day. And then we decide to visit a member close by. On our way out of their home we see that their neighbor is getting home from work. We decide to say hi and he immediately opens up and practically begs us to come in and teach him. A little startled now but excited we stay and he quickly opens up about a huge trial he is going through. His wife had been unfaithful to him, he was losing his children, home and job. In that moment I felt this overwhelming feeling that we were where we were most needed in that moment. I found myself feeling inspired to tell him that sometimes trails in our lives are ways Heavenly Father direct us in different paths. Saying that I realized that maybe we were having a crummy day because Heavenly Father was trying to direct us in a different path as well so we could find this man that needed us so desperately. All of us were comforted and it was a very spiritual lesson. It was all so worth it just to talk to that man that was in desperate need of a message of hope and faith in the Savior.

I was asked to give a last minute talk in sacrament yesterday and it was perfect because I desperately needed the topic I spoke on. Pride. One particular quote that I found that I want to share says

"Pride is the opposite of humility, which is a 'willingness to submit to the will of the Lord.' When prideful, we tend to take honor to ourselves rather than giving it to others, including the Lord. Pride is often competitive; it is a tendency to seek to obtain more and presume we are better than others. Pride often results in feelings of anger and hatred; it causes one to hold grudges or to withhold forgiveness. Pride, however, can be swallowed in the Christlike attribute of humility." - Elder Gary E. Stevenson

The best way to avoid pride is by being humble. And that doesn't necessarily mean we can't have confidence, we must learn to direct all the confidence we have towards the Lord. How powerful is that. As we actively strive to overcome pride we will overcome temptation and mindless comparison.

Also! 2 of our investigators that we found just last week have let us know they have gained a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon and wow... This church is so true. As our investigators gain their testimonies it strengthens mine. Nothing tops this full-time missionary service. I love these people and the gospel with all my heart!

Hasta la próxima semana!

Hermana Tapia