"...And NOW, ANOTHER WORTHY PRIESTHOOD HOLDER IN THE WORLD"

9/30/13

Hola Familia!!Como les va??

Wow this week has been great! Especially yesterday! So Erikc received the gift of the Holy Ghost... how amazing is that?? God loves us so much; He really gives us everything we need to return to His presence. Then, after church we found out that they gave him the priesthood during the 3rd hour!! What a day for him! Receiving both the Spirit and Power of God! It made us really happy that Obispo was so on top of it though, because there are actually a few recent converts that still haven't received the priesthood. (don't worry, we are working on it). But when we stopped by to visit Erikc yesterday he was so happy; A completely different person. How humbling is it that we have the opportunity to invite people to prepare to receive the power of God... really. I don't think we will ever fully comprehend in this life how big of a deal that is!! Yesterday we also had a lesson with a new investigator... who is golden. Well the story starts a few weeks ago when we were talking out on the street with this man and his wife. While we were talking, his brother came over, but sort of just observed from a distance. When we left we set a return appointment with the man and his wife, and just handed his brother a pamphlet. Well, this week when we were on exchanges, Hermana Tanner and Rife went by for our appointment and the man and his wife weren't there, but the brother was! I guess they talked to him for a bit about the Book of Mormon, and he really showed a lot of interest and so they gave him one, invited him to church. He said he didn't have a car, so they told him we could get him a ride, and they set up a return appointment. Well, yesterday morning we called him to make sure he could still go to church before we sent a member to pick him up, but he never responded. Well, when we showed last night for the appointment he said he was waiting but no one ever came to pick him up!! Oh nooo. Finally someone who is actually waiting for their ride and it didn't come! Well we apologized for the lack of communication and promised they would be there next week! Then we had a super powerful first lesson. He is super versed with the Bible, which sometimes is a struggle, but with him, he was supporting everything we were saying! He said that all of the pastors in Mexico had been preaching doctrines of hombres, and so he never got baptized into their churches. So as we explained the Restoration, with the apostasy and everything, he just soaked it right on up! He said that he had been reading the Book of Mormon, and he loved the footnotes that connected to the bible. At the end of the lesson we always say, “when you know these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized with someone with the authority of God?” (in Spanish of course) and he said “SI!”. He said that he knows God gives him answers to his prayers, for example he asked God to send him people to understand more of the bible, and shortly after he saw us talking to his brother out on the street!!!! (yes... when he said that I thought "this actually happens in real life??") And so he said he knows that when we prays about the Book of Mormon, God will let him know if it is true or not. Really, it was quite the lesson. When we left, we didn't even say anything to each other because we were both so in shock. The promises of the scriptures are so true. God does prepare the hearts of the children. There are so many people who are in search of the truth, they just don't know where to find it!

Oh and on top of all the great things yesterday, it was also fast Sunday. We were fasting for our members, so that they might be able to know who of their friends are ready to receive the gospel. This past week we have realized how incredibly important the members are to work with. It is so much more effective to find people through the members, obviously we will keep finding on our own as well, as seen in the example above, but we never would have found Erikc if it hadn't been for Manuelita! So everyone reading this. OPEN YOUR MOUTH. There are golden people all around you who want to hear the gospel, you don't have to preach to them, but just show how happy the gospel makes you, and share why. How sad would it be to get to the other side and have your best friend say "you knew all along and didn't tell me!!".

On Saturday we had the opportunity to see the General Relief Society Broadcast and I loved the talk by President Monson. If we are acting out of love, they won't take offense.

I know that this church is so true. I know that the gospel has been restored again on the earth through a true and living prophet and I can't explain how excited I am for conference this weekend!!! That we have worthy men of God to lead us through these latter days. How could we not listen! Can you believe it has been a year since the age change..? WHAT A YEAR.

I love you all so much. Thank you so much for all that you do, for the love and support. Have an amazing week! Reemplace miedo con fe, eche el temor con el amor!

Les quiero,

Hermana Draper

"THERE'S ANOTHER SOUL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!"

Erikc's Baptism

L to R Elder Barney (District Leader), Erikc (Guatemalans are so tiny!), Hermana Pederson (started teaching Erikc with Hermana Tanner), "My darling ginger companion" Hermana Tanner and Me! Oh Happy Day! :)   

 9/23/13

Hola Familia!

Wow what a week it has been!!

Well in regards to the title.... there indeed is another soul in the Kingdom of God (well, he still has to be confirmed… anyway) Erikc was baptized last night and it was amazing. The whole night just came together. All week we had been working hard to pull the program together, lots of calls, and voicemails, and nos... but… when we just give it up to the Lord, we finally found people to speak and help out yesterday during church, and it ended up going beautifully. Erikc seriously was so prepared. We were worried because this last week he got super sick. He couldn't even go to work, and that is huge. But when we visited him he just said that Satan was trying to keep him from being baptized, and he wasn't going to fall into that trap. He just has so much faith. He has a super cool story of how he got to yesterday though. I guess it hasn't been the smoothest road teaching him. Since I have known him he has been super solid, so I had no idea! But he was a referral from a member, because he rents one of the rooms in her house. He was doing super well, but then one day he straight up gave the Book of Mormon back to Hermana Tanner and Pederson and said that they couldn't baptize him. He said that he would never give up worshiping the virgin, and never believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Well imagine the distress they felt… but, we have to respect people’s decisions. So after that they had been praying hard for a miracle, even a dream (because that is one thing I have realized, Hispanics have dreams, and they are incredible. Lehi?) Well, a few days after that rough lesson he called them up and asked them to come back to talk. Well, he told them that he had a dream and he heard a voice and it said 'seguidme' (follow me) and he realized that this really is the church of Jesus Christ, and he had to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized! And ever since then he has been so dedicated. Yesterday right after his baptism he came up to us and said "soy una nueva persona!" (I am a new person) And asi es! He is a new person, who has the name of Christ upon him. And next Sunday he will have the promise of the Holy Ghost forever as long as he is worthy! How amazing is that? "How great shall be your joy" is an understatement for last night. I love being a missionary!!

Another cool thing that happened this past week is that we had interviews with President, and specialized training. In training we learned more about how to teach a powerful first lesson, and the importance of it, and also, that it is never too late to teach a powerful first lesson again. Well, we decided to try it out with one of the recent convert/less active families in our ward. They have a son that just turned eight who hasn't been baptized, and the men still haven't received the priesthood, so we have been working really hard with them. We taught the lesson, well, we didn't, the spirit did, and it was so powerful. In the end they thanked us for reminding them why they were baptized and that they did have a lot of responsibility because of their decision. They committed to prepare to receive the priesthood so that one of them can do the baptism for their son! It was incredible to see how just these simple doctrines, the very first lesson of the restoration, can reanimate a family and remind them of the things that are the most important! Really, the gospel is such a blessing. Sometimes we might not see it that way, but it is so true! To have that faith in Jesus Christ and confidence that with His Atonement you can repent and become like Him, and be the happiest people possible. And we can make covenants; two way promises with God! We just have to keep the commandments and He blesses us with the Holy Ghost to be with us always!! And we have the privilege to be reminded of those promises every Sunday. With that we can press forward, with hope for a better world, and receive eternal life. God just loves us so much. I just love this gospel and I know that it is true. I have seen it change my life and the lives of others. I know that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God to restore this perfect gospel on the earth today and I can't wait for two weeks when we get to hear the words of our latter-day prophets! Life is just so good! The world might be in complete disarray... but remember opposition in all things! If there is that much chaos, there equally must be that much order! And it is here! I'll hop off my soap box now, but I hope that you all have a wonderful week.

Remember who you are, and whose you are. Reemplace miedo con fe.

Les quiero demasiado,

Hermana Draper

 Sami and Hermana Tanner on the train in Olde Towne Katy

At the ward party...

 

katy.katy.katy.katy

9/16/13

Hola Familia!

Wow. What a week it has been! I just love it here! Miracles just keep happening everyday! Well.. where to start. Erick had his baptismal interview yesterday and his service is scheduled for this Sunday!! I am so excited for him! It is just so amazing to see how happy these people are when they are taking these steps to change their lives! It is when we are obedient to the laws and ordinances that we are the most happy, because that’s when we are the most blessed! And I promise I have seen that manifest through the lives of these amazing people, and in my own life! Obedience brings blessings, people! But Erick is truly remarkable. We had an awesome lesson about la santa cena.. sacrament.. and during it he read one of the sacrament prayers. I just wish I could even describe how it felt. The spirit was so strong as we not only testified of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but also the truthfulness that God's power has been restored on the earth today, and after his baptism and by living worthy, he too can be a priesthood holder. How incredible is that. That if a man is willing to live worthy, he can possess the power of God. But also just to think how these steps that Erick is taking not only bless his life, but that his future family will have a priesthood holder in the home. Eternal Families!!

Well, another amazing miracle of this past week. So one morning the Elders in our ward got a call from an English member who said his friend, who only speaks Spanish and isn't a member, needed a blessing. The Elders went over and gave it to her, and they said it was such a powerful experience. That afterwards this lady said that the Elder said all of the exact things that she needed to hear, and he coudn't have even know about them (Ammon and Lamoni type). She said that some joven had just given her better advice than any pastor she had spoken too. Wow! Proof that even though we are young, we are called of God! Well, she had spoken to missionaries a bit before, but she agreed to try it out again, especially after that powerful of an experience. Well, fortunately for us, she lives in our area!! So the very next day, we went over to meet her. We had an awesome restoration lesson, and we felt really impressed to focus on the Priesthood. Well when we got to the end we extended the baptismal invitation and her response was... "si si claro!!" (like... yes, yes of course!) Then she told us that a few years back she had really wanted to be baptized. She talked to her pastor that she would, but when it came time she just didn't feel like it was the right time. She said that God knew her desire, and that it was good, and that he would provide the right way for it to be done. So, she wasn't baptized then, so when we asked her to pray about these things, and once she knew that they were true, to be baptized she knew that it was right! Seriously. If that isn't evidence that God is preparing people to receive the gospel, I don't know what is!! I just know that there are so many amazing people that want the truth but they “know not where to find it". So I am so grateful for the chance to find them, or for them to find us! Because her house is on a little street that we probably never would have knocked, God made sure that our paths crossed through other people!

Another awesome example... So we drove super far last p-day because we had to go to the office to get more copies of el Libro de Mormon... and we got lost... so we hardly had any miles this past week. So what do we do? Walk and walk and walk! Well, we were walking to find a past investigator when it started to Houston rain. There was a nearby apartment complex so we decided to head there and knock around, make some friends to wait for the storm to lighten up. The second door we knock a super nice Hispanic lady answers and tells us that her brother and mom and both members and she was present for all their lessons, she just wasn't baptized, then she moved up here! Okay. Yeah. She was on her way out the door, but we set up a time to pass by and see her this week! I am so excited! God is just so good at what He does. I just picture him saying.. 'and now.. cue rain' so that we would go over and meet her! He guides us to where we need to go, we just have to listen!

I am loving Katy! I miss the Woodlands, still praying for them, but am so grateful for the chance to meet so many other new and amazing people! I know this Church is so true. How could it not be? I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that ANYONE who reads it with an open heart can know it is true also, and that it will change their lives! I am so grateful to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father and that he sent His Son for us. That Jesus Christ suffered all of our pains, afflictions, sicknesses and weaknesses so that He knows exactly how we feel. God is so good. His grace is sufficent. so just Reemplace miedo con fe.

les quiero demasiado,

Hermana Draper

KATYLAND

New companion, Hermana Tanner, from Salt Lake City... 

 

9/09/13

Pues pues pues... esta semana pasada!!

It has been so great! Miracles on miracles. So we are teaching a family that we found knocking one of my first days here! The first lesson was super solid all about the restoration and they really seemed to get it. Then the second lesson we decided to talk more about the Book of Mormon, and it was crazy! We read in 3 Nefi 11, and it was really great to show that the purpose of the Book of Mormon really is to testify of Christ, but then they had SO many questions… which was awesome. We literally talked about nearly every aspect in one sitting from why she couldn't go to her nieces temple wedding, to the fact that we can celebrate Halloween, that I will be the only wife to my husband, we can eat pork… etc... but ultimately, it was great! Everything is out in the open and a lot of their doubts were corrected. They are such an awesome family! They have two cute girls who are eight and twelve, and even though they are super catholic, they are really open to learning more. We have another lesson today, so pray for us! :)

One of my goals this transfer, that I am so excited for, is to learn more about Family History and how to teach people how to do it!! We have a Family History center, and Hermana Koerner (Hermana Woodward's companion) is expert so she teaches a class for the ward every Wednesday! This past week a lot more people came than usual, so playing a Draper, I just pretended like I knew what I was doing and ended up helping a lady in our ward find a bunch of relatives down in El Salvador. And I got on my own account and saw that we go back to the 1200's??! Drapour de Netherlands? Bien hecho familia. But that is really one of my goals to work harder with this transfer, it's like Elder..(I can't remember).. said "we need to dissolve the border between missionary work and genealogy, because it is the same great work!". Baptisms on this side of the veil are equally as important as baptisms on the other side! So it is so awesome to see people in our ward and investigators with the Spirit of Elijah.

Also, we had a tender mercy for me after dinner with one of our members. We had asked her if there was anyone that she felt could benefit from a visit from us and she said she had always wanted to send the missionaries to her neighbor, but never knew if it was the right thing to do. Well I told her of course and asked her if we could go over right then to meet her! Well... we did. Unfortunately her neighbor did not speak Spanish, but fortunately, we speak English! So we translated for the member, and got a nice little introduction. Then we sat there for about an hour and heard her whooole life story. (did I mention we were in a retirement center?). I just loved it. I just sat there thinking, when else in my life will I ever be able to have experiences like this? She was born and raised super Baptist, Texas through and through, but we had the chance to share a message from the Book of Mormon about the Atonement, and she cried, and it was beautiful. It doesn't matter where we are in life, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is what connects us all. As we were heading out we thanked her for time and she said she would love to have us come back "because from the moment [we] walked through the door, she knew we were God's people".

I am so thankful for the chance to be here. Whether we are preaching repentance to an hombre on the street (trust me, it happens) or having an awesome first lesson of the restoration, or even... the classic door slam… It is all so worth it! "That we might bring some soul unto Repentance" to know our Savior, and the love that He has for us.

Thank you so much for all the support! It really means so so much. I hope you all have an awesome week. Remember that with God all things are possible, and every trial is a blessing.

Reemplace miedo con fe!

Les Quiero, Hermana Draper

bienvedndios a westgreen!

Bed time stories! The Three Little Kittens... 

With Hermana Miller and Driesel.

(Thanks Jill for the book!)

9/02/13

Hola Familia!! Well, surprise of the week... I'm not in the Woodlands anymore!! This past week we had transfers, and unexpectedly, since me Hermana Driesel and Miller only had one transfer together, I got transfered out!! I am now in el barrio de Westgreen in the city of Katy! It's funny in my other area the east border was the east border of the mission, and close to the north. Well, now in Westgreen the south border of our ward is the south border of the mission! Exact opposites, but it is so great here! The past week has been so crazy, but so amazing at the same time!

So to catch you up on my last few days in the Woodlands, which were amazing! Well, super cool story. We had received a referral a few months ago for a family from Honduras that had just moved in. We had knocked there a bunch of times, always a different person to answer and none had really seemed too interested. Well, on Monday night during planning Hermana Driesel said that she felt that we really needed to try that apartment the next day. As we were walking up to knock she literally said the words "Heavenly Father, I'm not sure why we are here, but help us know!". Well then this new person answered the door, and she invited us right in! We talked for a minute and she had just gotten to the states, and that she had visited with the missionaries down in Honduras! It was so amazing. We reviewed some stuff and gave her another Book of Mormon and a pamphlet since it had been a while since she had met with them, and we set up another appointment for the next day. When we went back she had read the whole pamphlet and the whole chapter that we left for her (Alma 32) and she had questions!! It was amazing! I am so excited to hear how she progresses and will for sure keep praying for her!

That night we got the call that I was leaving... then Wednesday was the most action packed, awesome day so far. There was this inactive member in our ward that I have literally been trying to have a lesson with my whole time there, we saw her once or twice but she never had time, or wasn't home. Well, a few days earlier we had seen her, and she agreed to set up an appointment!! So finally after four and a half months of trying, on my very last day in the area we had a lesson with her!!! God is so good. Unfortunately, she had stopped going to church a few years back, and actually decided she doesn't believe in God anymore... and she was very set in her ways with that. But we were still able to have a great lesson, and just pray that her heart will be softened again! Then the day just picked up speed after that. We had nine different lessons and it was so awesome. We also stopped by, for lunch, at the cupcake shack that I have been wanting to try for the whole time there... Pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes, and brownies with caramel praline sauce... (my comps said calories don't count on your last day in the area, it's like you birthday!) So Erin, I have a challenge to find an amazing caramel praline sauce... the south has converted me. Also, our last lesson of the night was with one of our menos activos (only because she is on perma bed rest, and can't go to church) la familia Lobo. They are really something else. We had an awesome lesson with Jose, who lives with them, and then a nice last reading in the Book of Mormon with Hermana Lobo… and when I gave her a kiss (don't worry, it's a hispanic thing, everyone kisses everyone on the cheek) she cried. Aw man. I just love that lady. I guess it is just hard to explain leaving an area. It is like leaving your family before your mission, but different because you don't know if you will ever see them again... Hasta vernos con el Rey!

So it was a little hard leaving, but at the same time, that night I was so excited because I knew that there were other people in the city of Houston that needed me now! So that is where I am at. My companion is Hermana Tanner. She is from Salt Lake... went to Skyline... and get this, she went to Ballet West Academy!! Yeah crazy right, she joined the year that I left! Such a small world. But she is amazing, and a ginger. She is also waiting for a visa to go to Argentina Buenos Aires South! (so hopefully I get used to the area fast...) But this area is so awesome! And I can tell it has sooo much potential! And also, Hermana Woodward (my MTC companion) is serving in the same ward!! So I get to see her a lot which is super fun.

Well, my very first night here was great! I know this email is already ridiculously long, and since it is Labor Day we are in the family history center since all the libraries and offices are closed, we are all here! I have to wrap up, but already there have been so many miracles!! from Thursday night to Sunday night we had twenty one lessons and found seven new investigators!! Seriously! This area is lighting up!

One awesome story is we were heading to a lesson, but we still had about twenty minutes before it was supposed to start, and Hermana Tanner said there was a house on the road over that she has wanted to try. Well, we go over there and there are two kids out in the street roller bladeing (always a good sign) and the little girl asked if we wanted her to call her mom, well her mom came out (and she is stunning, may I add) and we introduced ourselves. She asked if we wanted to come in and of course we accepted (even though we only had about fifteen minutes before our next appointment). Well, we taught the restoration, the fastest and I think the clearest I have ever taught it, and she loved it! She said it is something she has been looking for in her life and she would love for us to come back and keep teaching her. She agreed to read in the 3 Nefi 11 before our next visit, which is tomorrow and I am super excited to teach her!!

There are so many amazing people that God has prepared to receive this great gospel! We just have to listen to him to find them! Then one more thing; we have an investigator who is going to be baptized on the 22 de Septiembre! We had a brief lesson with him, but he is amazing. He has so much faith in Jesus Christ! He is twenty three, and so great!

Well, I really have got to go, but I hope that you all have a great day and week! I love you so very much and thank you for the love and support! If you feel the desire to write me, my new address is...

2150 Katy Fort Bend Rd. #215

Katy, TX 77493

Remember who you are and all you stand for! God is so good! Reemplace miedo con fe!

les quiero demasiado,

Hermana Draper