Monday, October 7, 2013

...and HERE WE GO INTO A NEW TRANSFER ALREADY!!

 A visit to the Houston Holocaust Museum with Hermana Tanner

An amazing mural in the Museum District of Houston

10/07/13
Hola famila! Como les va?
Well, what an adventurous day it has been! Hermana Woodward had to go to a fancy thumb specialist (remember how she had thumb issues in the mtc?) which was downtown, so we got to hitch a ride with them and go downtown! Hermana Tanner and I went to the Museum District! Unfortunately, most of them were closed because it is Monday... like the Museum of Fine Arts... But we toured the Czech Center and also the Holocaust Museum. Wow. It was a gentle reminder that there is actually a world out there still and cultural traditions other than Hispanic. It was quite edifying! But it also left us with not much time today to do the normal p-day things, so this email may be brief…
Well how amazing was conference!!! I am excited for the Ensign to come out so I can get the whole picture... it just isn't quite the same in Spanish... but, it really was so good for what I understood! We had two of our investigators attend and it was awesome! It was actually one of the coolest feelings. Obviously, as we were watching I felt like there were things that were exactly meant for me, but I also felt myself thinking often, "wow, that was said directly to her!” It was so cool to have that feeling, because it really seemed so direct; especially Elder Holland's talk at the afternoon session. Our investigator had struggled a lot with depression in the past, and that is why she got the blessing from the Elder's in the first place. And Elder Holland even spoke directly to care givers, which is her current occupation, and how they have to take care of themselves before they can take care of others. She has been going back and forth wondering if she should move back to Iowa to her family, and I am pretty sure that gave her the exact confirmation that she needed. Revelation!! Then, one of our other investigators came, and he just soaked it all up. At first he was a bit confused because it was his first time coming to the chapel, but after we explained that every Sunday isn't like this, he loved it. He is actually doing amazing! After we taught the restoration, we went by for a follow-up lesson and to see if he was keeping his commitments. Not only had he read the chapter we left with him, he had read it, and the pamphlet, marked them both and taken notes… yeah! He is kind of dedicated to learning. He is the one who talked about how all of his other pastors taught doctrines of man. So how awesome it was for him to see that the real, living prophet only teaches the pure doctrine!! Also, something I thought was way cool from conference, Richard G. Scott did his own translation! It was weird because the translator switched from a young man, to a nice, smooth, grandpa voice and Hermana Tanner realized it was him speaking; just a fun fact.
This past week we also started teaching a super awesome kid! He is fifteen, and the brother of another one of our investigators. Little by little the whole family is joining in learning. But God isn't a God of coincidences, and this fifteen year old happens to be friends with one of the less active young women in our ward! After we taught him, and he received it all super well, we told him that she was a member of our Church so he said he is going to go ask her all sorts of questions. We pray it goes well, but I know that didn't happen by chance.
I am trying to race my mind to think of other great miracles that happened, because there are many. Like how Houston got a huge cold front and it was fifty degrees yesterday morning... But really, it just never ceases to amaze me how perfect everything just falls in place when you leave it in the hands of God. I loved Elder McConkie's talk; it is absolutely perfect for missionary work, because it is true. We are on the Lord's errand, so if we turn it over to Him, we cannot fail. Also I just loved how he said "God Speaks". Because I can testify that is true. The heavens are not closed. Everyone who diligently seeks will find because we have a loving Heavenly Father! Well, P-day has got about twenty more minutes, so it's time to get to work. Thanks so much for all the support! I love you all so much and I hope you have a great day! Remember to replace fear with faith, because God speaks!!! So trust in Him and He will direct thy paths.
Les Quiero demasiado!
Hermana Draper

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Here are some pictures! Some cool wall we found downtown. and in front of the holocaust museum. the Houston museum district is deeefinitely not like the national mall... but it is still quite awesome. I would love to come back after the mission… but not on a Monday... and see it! I hope you are all doing well. Oh and as for now, still no news on Hermana Tanner's visa so we are staying the same this next transfer! Lots of miracles heading to Katy! :)
Love you so so so so much!


SOME PICTURES FROM MY LAST DAY IN THE WOODLANDS... just a little slow.



 Just a little snack at the shack! With Hermana's Driesel and Miller.

 With the Familia Lobo

With the Familia Hale