Happy Thankgiving

It's the holidays again! This thanksgiving I am just truly thankful to
be a servant of the Lord at this time. What a great day it is to serve
the Lord and help others to find him. I am so grateful for the
atonement and all that it entails. I am grateful that I am to be made
perfect even though I am imperfect. I love the Gospel and the light it
brings to my life and it has been special to see the same in the lives
of others here on the mission. I am especially grateful that I had a
friend in middle school who invited me to church even though she was
13 and helped me come back into activity. I don't think she knows how
grateful I am for that act of faith, I wouldn't be on a mission
without it!

Luz ( our inv from Ramona) is getting baptized this Saturday!!!!!!!!!
It looks like I might be going back to Ramona for an hour (if it
happens to work out that way)! This is the first time my old area has
baptized in 11 Months and I taught her!!!!!! She was our upstairs
neighbor, isnt that funny? The English area (We share areas with
English) referred her to us as well! When I left Ramona, Her husband
said he had always seen us walking to and from our apartment in the
mornings and evenings and knew there was something different about us!
I dont think he is getting baptized yet but I know he will soon! He
might just be a frequently attending non-member for a little while!
Haha but He will be baptized very soon!

Wow! Que milagro! Sounds like you have a golden lady over there in
Peru. Hermana Benavides speaks spanish and english. Her mom is also
from guatamala and her dad actually grew up here in San Diego. She is
from Texas!

The area is doing good, I just am confused a lot and feel very
disorganized! It has been a little hard this weekend I haven't even
met some of our investigators yet. Theres a lot I feel should just be
dropped with faith because they haven't been taught in a long while. I
am hoping that here soon I can help this area become a little more
organized and we can get more members out with us! We did pretty well
this week, but I know we can do better! I have faith that even though
it is a holiday this week, we can still improve on that and get even
more members to come out with us! It is going to be a good week in
Chula Vista! I am ready to work hard as always!

Chula Chula Chula!!!!

Zone Picture

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S

Nov 18

Scarlett Lapp (2), Draft

I am almost done with the detox part of this adventure to be over. And I can't enjoy the companyn

Nov 17,2015

This week we had a lesson with a man and his 2 sons. when we invited
them to be baptized the son said he would be baptized because they
have the authority to baptized him. he was only 10! It was so cool and
such a testimony builder to me!

Tuesday I got the call that I would be leaving the area and so I
packed my bags that night. Let me tell you, transfers in my mission
are the scariest thing because you go to a big meeting with all the
other missionaries that are having changes and you all gather in the
chapel, but you have no idea where you are going or who you are going
with! So its super intimidating and I was so scared I couldnt even eat
breakfast that morning. That morning I also decided that I was going
to go to the valley (Its like 115 degrees during the summer there) and
it is also the farthest from literally anything.  But anyway, I
decided I was going to the valley. and then they sent me to Chula
Vista 4th ward where my trainer started her mission! It is close to
the border to tijuana, Mexico so there are so many people that speak
spanish its so much different than Ramona! Anyway, then we switch our
bags to the car for the new area and head to our area to do grocery
shopping and start the obra.

the field is really, really white in Chula Vista! We have so many
potentials and so many new investigators, its crazy! And we actually
have progressing investigators, which is a change! I love it here and
I have a feeling that this is going to be a great area for me. I have
noticed that the fellowshipping and lessons with a member and
investigator have gone down, so we are going to try some of those
things we did in Ramona here to Chula Vista. We already have
appointments set up with members this week! We are hoping that in the
next couple of weeks we can get the members into being a little more
excited and light that fire here in Chula Vista! Its already on fire,
we just need to feed that fire.

It is a little over whelming because the area is just so big, but I
love it! It is such a different change and even though I miss Ramona,
I knw that I can bring those things I have learned to Chula Vista. I
can already see the reasons that I was sent here. I love Chula Vista
and although I miss Ramona, I know it is a good change and that I can
truly be an instrument in the Lords hands to help reap the field here
in Chula!!

Until next week!

Love ya mom! Hope everything is going well at the Rehab center. It
sounds like miracles are happening in your life as well to bring you
there! I know that God is helping you and that everything will be
alright! Ether 12:6

Love,

Hermana Lapp



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Nov 17

me, Scarlett (2)

good to hear you are getting some help! i hope that everything is going well and it sounds like you

Week 24.....Transfer Tomorrow!

Well another week has gone by too quickly, but it was a good one!

There is a couple we have been teaching for a while. They
didn't come to church on Sunday because they are looking for a place
to move....out of our mission :( it's pretty sad, hopefully they don't
move.
this week as a mission we were supposed to add 10 people as a
companionship. We added 7 but that was still pretty awesome and they
are some amazing new people with a lot of potential. I was kind of sad
this week when we met a new person and I realized I probably wouldn't
be able to see them progress because I'd be gone, but I am excited to
hear about how Ramona and these people are doing after I leave. Change
is good, they need a new fresh missionary to change even more things
around here and help this area to reach its full potential.

I'm pretty sad that I have to say goodbye to everyone here. I love
them all and I have really grown to love it here in Ramona. I'm so
nervous about meeting new people where I go, but I know it will all be
okay and hopefully I will be able to love them just as much as I love
them here. I love Ramona and all its small town craziness but it is
time for a new change. I am excited to learn something new from my new
companion and my new area.

The spirit this week taught me to always pray with my heart. Sometimes
I feel very repetitious, but I know that as I pray with my heart, we
will be able to see miracles. This week I noticed that when I prayed
with my heart for someone to be home, they were home. I didn't just
ask, I asked with my heart. Then We went and acted.

I am trying so hard to get myself out of my timid shell more
especially with talking to people on the street, which I have
struggled with from the beginning. To push myself, I made a goal to
talk to 15 people a day. Well, I changed my ways and talked to 15
people a day! I felt more accomplished as I did all I could with the
help of my companion to reach my goal. Sometimes it was hard and I
felt timid, but I forgot myself and did it anyway.

Through the Book of Mormon this week, I read in Mosiah, which I really
love. I love the story of King Limhi and Ammon. They just had so much
faith.
I really loved these 2 verses in Mosiah 23

10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries,
and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands
in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.

11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of myself.

I just love how humble he was and I want to be the same, completely
relying on the Lord in all things. That is also something I need to
work on a lot.

Tomorrow is transfer meeting and I will let you know where I am on Tuesday

Love,

Hermana Lapp

Week 23.....one more week in Ramona! Being transferred next Wed.

After nightly planning selfie...just because I have no more pictures left to send this week. 

This week we had a really cool experience where the spirit really taught us a lesson. We found this man a couple weeks ago named A. He is having a really hard time right now and is really prepared to hear a message. He has met with missionaries before and claims to know the book of mormon is true! He didn't have a stable place to live and we couldn't find him every time we went, so we took him off the potentials list. Just a few days later this past week, we found him on the street again! We talked to him and invited him to the trunk or treat! He actually came and got to meet some members. We even taught him a lesson in the building with a couple in our ward! We are still not sure how to find him, but now we have his email, so we finally have a way to contact him. 

 Even though it wasn't as good of a week as it has been (although still pretty good), I know that the Lord will provide if we prove faithful to him. This week we have so many appointments and so many members willing to come out with us. If we come through the trial with a smile on our face, we will be able to receive blessings and the Lord will help us!

My companionship and area continues to be great! I have seen such progress in the work of The Lord. A couple that we have been teaching came to church again. He has changed so much and I really do think they will be baptized soon.We are so excited for them. She is still reading and he has really warmed up to us these past couple weeks. He cried during church! Miracle! We also had 5 investigators come to the trunk or treat which was awesome as well. They got to meet the members which was great. 

This week for Halloween we had to go inside at 6....which was super nice! We planned and then studied for 2 hours and then we got to go to bed a little early! It was also daylight savings, so we got a little more sleep! It was nice, but I like going out and working better. I'm glad it was on a saturday instead of a different day, because saturdays can be a little more slow than any other day. They all like to go to different places on saturdays :(

 

sorry it's so short again! 

We now take selfies with members that come out with us. She is one of
the most inspirational people I have met! She has such a sweet
testimony.

Our Halloween costumes. B oots and Dora! 

The super awesome starwars trunk 

A members dog dressed up as batman 

Week 22......Talk on Obedience......I Love My Companion

I

October 27, 2015

I studied a lot about obedience this week because I gave a talk about obedience. I was studying a lot about how obedience will make us happy so that I could show the members that the commandments are for their benefit. It really changed my heart about mission rules. I feel that I have always had an obedient nature. I get stressed if I feel like I'm not being obedient and I'm always second guessing anything I do that may be questionable. This week I got a different outlook on the rules. I really can day with my heart that rules and commandments are blessings. And when we make mistakes that's when Christ comes in. It increased my faith in obedience and how obedience brings blessings ESPECIALLY in missionary work. I know that nothing happens when we are not obedient. 

In my reading of the Book of Mormon. I am in the Isaiah chapters which are very confusing, but I really love the promises that God makes with us. He promises a lot of blessings according to my faith. I know that if we have enough faith we will be able to do anything that the lord requires from us. We just need to do as nephi did "go and do!" . I really loved the talk about obedience in general conference called "blessed and happy are those that keep the commandments of God" by Von g Keetch. I used it in my talk a lot! Obedience brings blessing! Hágalo!

My week was great again! This area is just on fire! I love it. We are just go go go. Last week we had interviews and mine was very short. He is just proud of Ramona and the branch. He talked to my companion though about her next companion......so I will not be killing Hermana Crider here in her last transfer:( I will be leaving Ramona :( :( :( I just love the progress I have seen here in Ramona! The work is just booming because the members are getting so involved. When I first got here you practically had to beg on your Hands and knees to get someone out, but now it is just so much better! They are really willing to do the work of the lord! I love them so much and I have been seeing them fill their full potential!

GUESS WHAT! Our progressing investigators, Luz and Eduardo came to church this week! We are seeing so much progress, especially in Eduardo! His heart has changed so much and his attitude towards us as missionaries has completely changed! We really feel like he loves us and we love him! I've loved her from the beginning and she is reading the Book of Mormon which is also a huge thing here in the mission field! I don't think I'll be here to see them be baptized if I get transferred because they haven't been to church enough, but that's ok. I'm just happy that they are progressing and I really think they will be bapitzed. My companionship is great. We went to the temple last transfer and my question was "how can we find people to teach" and the answer was "love your companion". I think I can now truly say that I love my companion. I really trust her! My trainer always told me that it is important to trust your companion and have communication. 

Love,

Hermana Lapp

Talk For Sacrament Meeting (October 2015) 

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. 
(2 Nephi 2) 

God has a plan for us 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, 
that they might have joy if they are obedient to the commandments of 
God. 

Plan of Salvation 

In "blessed and happy are those who keep the commandments of God" by 
Von G Keetch from the October 2015 General conference, he told a story 
about surfers who were very upset they couldn't go past a barrier in 
the ocean. They complained, and complained and complained some more. A 
man came up to them and showed them through binoculars that just 
beyond the barrier were sharks. The following is a quote from the 
talk, 

The group quickly became subdued. The old surfer retrieved his 
binoculars and turned to walk away. As he did, he said words I will 
never forget: “Don’t be too critical of the barrier,” he said. “It’s 
the only thing that’s keeping you from being devoured.” (Blessed and 
Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God) 

Just as these people were annoyed by the barrier, we can become 
annoyed by commandments. We can see them as restrictions, not 
blessings. Rules, not protection. The thing we don't realize is that 
commandments are there to help us. They give us protection from 
spiritual sharks--spiritual danger, help us become the person he wants 
us to be, and help us to be filled with the spirit. In the same talk, 
Elder Keetch goes on to say, 

As we trust in the Lord, exercise our faith, obey His commandments, 
and follow the course He has charted for us, we become more the person 
the Lord wants us to become. It is this “becoming”--this conversion of 
the heart--that is all-important. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught 
us: “It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The 
commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list 
of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel 
of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our 
Heavenly Father desires us to become.” 

True obedience, therefore, is giving ourselves entirely to Him and 
allowing Him to chart our course both in calm waters and in troubled 
ones, understanding that He can make more of us than we could ever 
make of ourselves. (Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the 
Commandments of God) 

God has a person that he wants us to become. We are all trying to 
reach our full potential. In this life we will have trials to shape 
and form us, but We will NEVER be able to completely overcome our 
trials if we are not obedient to his commandments. We will NEVER be 
able to reach our full potential if we are not trying with all our 
hearts to obey his commandments. 

Elder Keetch also talks about submitting our will to His. He said, 

As in all things good and true, Jesus Christ stands as the best 
example. The greatest act of obedience in all of eternity occurred 
when the Son submitted Himself to the will of the Father. Asking in 
deepest humility that the cup might be removed--that He might travel 
some other course than the one that had been marked for Him--Christ 
submitted Himself to the path that His Father wanted Him to take. It 
was a path that led through Gethsemane and Golgotha, where He endured 
unimaginable agony and suffering and where He was totally forsaken as 
His Father’s Spirit withdrew. But that same path culminated in an 
empty tomb on the third day, with cries of “He is risen!” ringing in 
the ears and hearts of those who loved Him. It included unimaginable 
joy and comfort centered in His Atonement for all of God’s children 
throughout eternity. By allowing His will to be swallowed up by the 
Father’s, Christ gave us the prospect of eternal peace, eternal joy, 
and eternal life. (Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the 
Commandments of God) 

We are not going to be perfect, but we can definitely give our all to 
God and strive to do what Christ did. If we are striving to submit our 
will to the father, we will never fall. When we are submitting our 
will to the father, we are being obedient because we will be doing all 
that He asked of us. We will receive guidance and protection from Him, 
but We are also following the first law of God, obedience. 

God must also obey His law that he will not bless us unless we obey 
Him. He cannot break that law. It says in doctrine and covenants 
130:20-21, 

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the 
foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- 

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to 
that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130) 

Obedience 

What does he bless us with? Sure, health, safety, a job are all 
blessings that the Lord can give us. But what is the most important? 
The spirit. There is a story in the Old Testament that gives an 
example of what happens when we are not exactly obedient to His 
commandments, 

The lord gave king Saul a commandment through the prophet Samuel. He 
said "Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have.”He 
spared the live of the king and brought back all the animals. When 
Samuel asked him why he brought back the animals and didn't destroy 
them, he said that he brought them back to sacrifice for the lord. 
Samuel told him that it would be better if he obeyed the lord with 
exactness rather than be selectively obedient in bringing back an 
offering.Later in the story we read, 

Zone Meeting (8-7-2015) 

26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou 
hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee 
from being king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15) 

Zone Meeting (8-7-2015) 

I like to compare Saul and being a king to us and the spirit. Saul was 
not allowed to be king of Israel because he was not exactly obedient. 
Likewise, if we are not exactly obedient, he will take away his spirit 
until we become worthy of it once again. As we are selectively 
obedient, the lord can take away his spirit. But, as we are exactly 
obedient we will be filled with the spirit. That is the most important 
gift of all. As we strive to live this life close to God, we will 
receive his spirit. His spirit gives us guidance when we don't know 
what decision to make, protect us from spiritual danger or even 
physical danger that can harm us and bring us to a place we don't want 
to be, and comfort us in times of need when we are put through trials 
that refine us and help us fill our full potential. 

Zone Meeting (8-7-2015) 

I invite you to have a personal council with yourself and the lord and 
ask, What are the things that I am not doing in my life to have his 
spirit to be with me? What can i do to be more obedient to his 
commandments?I promise that you will find the answer. I promise that 
as you strive to become obedient, you will be able to receive 
protection from spiritual danger, become the person that God wants you 
to be, reaching your full potential, and be filled with his Holy 
Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

The talk in Spanish......

El Discurso Para El Reunión Sacramental (Octubre 2015) 
Nuestro propósito aquí en esta tierra es para aprender y progresar; 
para saber el mal del bien, la tristeza del gozo. Nuestro propósito en 
la vida es más sencillo en 2 Nefi 2:25 

25 Adán cayó para que los hombres existiesen; y existen los hombres 
para que tengan gozo. (2 Nefi 2) 

Me gustaría a agregar un parte pequeño a este versículo para 
introducir mi tema para esta discurso. Adán cayó para que los hombres 
existiesen; y existen los hombres para que tengan gozo si obedezcan 
los mandamientos de Dios. 

Me gusta un discurso de la conferencia general en Octubre de 2015 se 
llama "Benditos y felices son aquellos que guardan los mandamientos de 
Dios." Por Elder von g keetch del quórum de la setenta. En este 
discurso, el dijo una historia sobre surfistas que estuvieron enojados 
porque no podrían pasar una barrera para hacer surf. Reclamaron y 
reclamaron y reclamaron un poco más. Un anciano surfista les mostró 
por sus binoculares que había "grandes tiburones alimentándose en el 
arrecife del otro lado de la barrera."Él dijo en su discurso, 

Enseguida el grupo se apaciguó. El anciano surfista tomó sus 
binoculares y se alistó para dar la vuelta e irse. Al hacerlo dijo 
estas palabras que nunca olvidaré: “No critiquen tanto la barrera” 
dijo, “es la única cosa que evitará que los devoren”. (Benditos y 
felices son aquellos que guardan los mandamientos de Dios) 

Como esos surfistas y la barrera, a veces los mandamientos de Dios nos 
molesta. Podemos verlos como limitaciones o restricciones en vez de 
protecciones. Podemos verlos como reglas en vez de bendiciones. La 
cosa que no realizamos es que las reglas son para nuestro beneficio y 
ayuda en esta vida. Nos dan protección de tiburones espirituales, nos 
ayuda a llegar a ser la persona que Dios nos quiere llegar a ser, y 
nos ayuda a ser lleno con el espíritu. 

En esta discurso el continuo, "[...] Él, quien “comprendió todas las 
cosas” , sabe exactamente dónde se encuentran [los] peligros. Él nos 
da dirección divina mediante Sus mandatos y guía amorosa para que 
podamos evitarlos, y así fijemos un rumbo en nuestra vida que esté 
protegido de predadores espirituales y de las gigantescas fauces del 
pecado." 

Tenemos los mandamientos como las barreras. Van a ayudarnos a tener 
protección de las cosas que puede destruirnos. 

Elder keetch dijo también, 

Al confiar en el Señor, ejercitar nuestra fe, obedecer Sus 
mandamientos y seguir el rumbo que Él ha trazado para nosotros, 
llegamos a ser más la persona que el Señor desea que seamos. Es ese 
“llegar a ser”, esa conversión del corazón, la que es más importante. 
El élder Dallin H. Oaks nos ha enseñado: “No es suficiente que 
cualquiera tan sólo actúe mecánicamente. Los mandamientos, las 
ordenanzas y los convenios del Evangelio no son una lista de depósitos 
que tenemos que hacer en alguna cuenta celestial. El evangelio de 
Jesucristo es un plan que nos muestra cómo llegar a ser lo que nuestro 
Padre Celestial desea que lleguemos a ser” . 

Por lo tanto, la obediencia verdadera es darnos enteramente a Él y 
permitirle que trace el rumbo de nuestra vida tanto en aguas 
tranquilas como en turbulentas, comprendiendo que Él puede hacer más 
por nosotros de lo que jamás llegaríamos a lograr por nosotros mismos. 
(Benditos y felices son aquellos que guardan los mandamientos de Dios) 

Dios tiene una persona para cada uno de nosotros que nos quiere llegar 
a ser. NUNCA vamos a superar nuestros desafíos completamente si no 
estamos tratando a obedecer los mandamientos. Todo de nosotros estamos 
tratando a alcanzar nuestro potencial. En esta vida vamos a tener 
pruebas para moldearnos, pero NUNCA vamos a superarles si no 
obedecemos los mandamientos. NUNCA vamos a alcanzar nuestra potencial 
si no estamos tratando con todo de nuestros corazones a obedecer sus 
mandamientos. 

Elder Keetch habló también sobre cómo necesitamos someternos a la 
voluntad de Dios.Él dijo, 

Como en todo lo bueno y verdadero, Jesucristo se erige como nuestro 
mejor ejemplo. El acto más grande de obediencia de toda la eternidad 
ocurrió cuando el Hijo se sometió a la voluntad del Padre. Al pedir 
con profunda humildad que pasara de Él la copa, es decir, que pudiera 
tomar otro rumbo que aquel que se había trazado para Él, Cristo se 
sometió al sendero que Su Padre quiso que Él tomara. Era un sendero 
que llevaba a Getsemaní y a Gólgota, donde aguantó una agonía y un 
sufrimiento inimaginables y donde se lo abandonó completamente cuando 
el Espíritu de Su Padre se retiró. Aun así, ese mismo sendero culminó 
en una tumba vacía al tercer día, con exclamaciones de “¡ha 
resucitado!” resonando en los oídos y corazones de aquellos que lo 
amaban; incluyó el gozo y el consuelo inimaginables centrados en Su 
expiación a favor de todos los hijos de Dios por toda la eternidad. Al 
permitir que Su voluntad fuera absorbida en la voluntad del Padre, 
Cristo nos dio la posibilidad de obtener paz eterna, gozo eterno y 
vida eterna. (Benditos y felices son aquellos que guardan los 
mandamientos de Dios) 

No vamos a ser perfecto, pero podemos dar todo de nuestros corazones a 
Dios y tratar a hacer lo que él hacía. Si estamos tratando a 
someternos a la voluntad del padre, nunca vamos a caer. Cuando se 
estamos sometiendo nuestro voluntad al padre, estamos siendo obediente 
porque estamos haciendo todo que él nos preguntó. Vamos a recibir 
protección y orientación de el. Pero también, estamos siguiendo la 
primera ley de Dios: Obediencia. 

Es necesario que obedecemos Su ley porque él no puede bendecirnos a 
menos que le obedecemos. Él no puede romper esa ley. En doctrina y 
convenios 130:20-21 dice, 

20 Hay una ley, irrevocablemente decretada en el cielo antes de la 
fundación de este mundo, sobre la cual todas las bendiciones se basan; 

21 y cuando recibimos una bendición de Dios, es porque se obedece 
aquella ley sobre la cual se basa. (DyC 130) 

Obediencia 

Que son las bendiciones de Dios? Claro, podemos recibir salud, 
seguridad, un trabajo, pero que es lo más importante? El espíritu. Hay 
una historia en el antiguo testamento que nos da un ejemplo de que 
pasa cuando no estamos siendo obediente exactamente a Sus 
mandamientos. 

Por medio de un profeta, Samuel, Dios dio un mandamiento a Saúl, el 
rey. Él dijo, "Ve, pues, y ataca a Amalec, y destruye todo lo que 
tiene." Pero Saúl perdono la vida de amalek. Él no les destruyo, pero 
han traído de nuevo todo de sus animales para ser un sacrificio al 
señor. Samuel le dijo estaría mejor si el obedeció el mandamiento con 
exactitud. Luego en la historia, leemos, 

26 Y Samuel respondió a Saúl: No volveré contigo, porque desechaste la 
palabra de Jehová, y Jehová te ha desechado para que no seas rey sobre 
Israel. (1 Samuel 15) 

Me gusta a comparar Saúl y siendo rey con nosotros y el espíritu. Saúl 
no podría ser rey porque no fue obediente. Lo mismo, si no somos 
obedientes, el puede llevarse su espíritu. Pero si estamos obedientes, 
podemos ser lleno de su espíritu. Eso es el regalo más importante. 
Cuando tratamos a vivir cerca de Dios, vamos a recibir su espíritu. Su 
espíritu nos da orientación cuando no sabemos cuál decisión es lo 
correcto, protegernos de peligro espiritual, y consolarnos en tiempos 
de necesidad cuando estamos en pruebas que nos refina y nos ayuda a 
alcanzar nuestro potencial. 

Invito todo de ustedes a tener un consejo personal con su mismo y el 
señor. Pregunten sus mismos, "que son las cosas que no estoy haciendo 
para tener su espíritu conmigo? Que puedo hacer para ser más obediente 
a sus mandamientos?"Prometo que van a encontrar la respuesta. Prometo 
que solamente cuando están obediente, podrán recibir protección de 
peligro espiritual, llegar a ser la persona que Dios quiere, y ser 
lleno del espíritu. Y yo sé que podemos encontrar gozo en Esta vida 
por medio de nuestro obediencia, en el nombre de Jesucristo, amén. 


Sent from my iPad 

Week 21........Faith & Overcoming Trials

October 20, 2015

The area is going really well still. It has been a slow couple of days, but I am hoping that everything will turn out okay. If it doesn't obviously it is just a trial of my faith and I need to just show him that I will work hard no matter what the area is doing. I am very happy for the members. They are the ones exercising their faith. Our companionship is good and we are still working hard. I am praying hard for this week that we will be able to be successful. We have a had a good past 3 weeks. 

This week during my study of the Book of Mormon, I was thinking about a scripture that I really liked. In 1 nephi 7:9-12 when Nephi is talking about how his brothers should have faith because they have seen an angel, I thought about how they do believe, they just didn't have faith. They didn't act on their belief. They weren't exercising their faith. I have been trying to apply that in my daily life as a missionary. Instead of just praying for things to happen, I go and do them to show that I am faithful. 

I have been thinking about faith a lot lately because of our mission president's topic this past month and his assignment to read the book of mormon about faith before christmas. It is a huge blessing. I love the book of mormon and through my reading this time, I have learned so many things about faith. I know that faith can help us through anything we are going through.

I am sorry I don't have a lot to say this week! I love the area I am in. I have been so proud of the members and happy for the area and now I don't really want to leave because I don't know who is going to come take care of this part of the vineyard, but I will have to just trust that it will all work out. I am very grateful to be serving here.

One thing I've been learning is that when things get hard, you shouldn't just be depressed or upset about it. It is most likely that the hard times are just a trial of our faith. If we are happy and we choose to keep going forward even when the people you're teaching or the ward or the area (or life in general) isn't going forward, you are the one that has to keep going. And if you keep going with a smile on your face, the Lord will bless you and there will be fruits from your labors whether you get to see it or not. Whatever challenges the Lord throws at you in this life, it you hold to your faith in the Lord, you will be able to overcome it. That is one of the biggest things I have been learning these past couple of transfers. 

Thats all this child has for this week. I love and pray for you.

Week 20..... Be Happy & Read the Book of Mormon

October 13, 2015

I've chosen to be happy lately and to just be relentless. Ever since 
then, I've really just been able to see the work progress and I feel 
bad that it didn't happen before, but I'm still learning and I'm not 
perfect. Now we are so busy I don't have time to think about anything 
but the work. I don't even really think about myself and how I'm 
doing, which is honestly what we are supposed to do. So now I'm more 
happy. 

The member presents have been a 
blessing, mostly because it's helping the work to progress. My week 
was good and we had another good one! we are really working hard and 
we are seeing the fruits of our labors por fin! Another week has 
passed and members are still going out with us! We added 11 people 
that are all pretty solid, that all seemed to be interested. This 
could not have been done if we didn't put our faith forward and also 
help the members to put theirs forward, nothing would have happened. 
This week we have another week set up with 9 appointments with members 
coming with us. We hope that everything will go well. We set 3 
baptismal dates this week, two were with the couple who the husband 
completely shot us down. We had an awesome lesson with a member and 
they agreed to be baptized. So we are praying that it will really 
happen and that Satan won't be able to work his way into that one. We 
had 3 members testify at sacrament meeting about how going with us is 
a blessing and also telling the members that they need to start coming 
out with the missionaries. We have been go go go and it has been 
working. We just never stop. We never stop until a member agrees to go 
out with us, we never stop street contacting, we just keep going. And 
it had been working! My faith has grown a lot these past few weeks as 
I have learned to just let the Lord use me as an instrument instead of 
being worried about doing it on my own! I am excited about what this 
week is going to bring and I am so excited for this area and I am so 
happy that i got to stay here another transfer. This area was really 
hard and I am just so so so so happy to see the members getting 
involved. It was only through them that we could've found all those 
people. As well as we reached all our goals except for those at church 
and being baptized. That's another thing we need to work on, but now I 
have faith that it will get there, whether I'm here or whether I'm in 
another area and I never find out what happened to Ramona, it will get 
there. 

Well, I don't really have much else to write about...I'm doing really 
good and my companion and I get along very well. We have been having a 
lot of fun as well as working hard. 

Our mission president is having us read the Book of Mormon before 
Christmas as of last pday. My faith has been increasing a lot through 
my study of the Book of Mormon. I think it has given me the faith to 
keep going and to keep trying. It has given me the faith to not care 
what others will think of me or if someone will reject us. That 
happened a lot to nephi, his brothers hated him and he was rejected by 
them, but he never gave up on them and kept his faith that it will all 
be okay. I've really been taking that thought to my street contacting. 
Just not giving up. We have also been doing that with members, trying 
to get them to go out with us. We just don't give up. 

It has been a really good week and sorry that I don't have more to talk about! 
Love, 
Hermana Lapp 

Week 19...........General conference & Going, Going, Going!

October 6, 2015

General Conference what is up! How nice was it to have that at this time. I actually did something pretty cool for it this time. My question for conference was pretty basic, but it actually turned out really well. My question was "How can I become a better missionary?" and from every talk I wrote how I can become a better missionary from that talk. One of the one's that was most meaningful to me was the talk by Jeffery R. Holland actually. For that I wrote to love our investigators with a motherlike-love, which is a Christlike-love. Loving our investigators no matter what. Sometimes I get frustrated inside when they don't keep commitments, but if I love them with a motherlike love, then sure I will be disappointed, but I won't be frustrated. I will just keep loving them into this gospel. And that is charity.

my week....we have been more diligent than ever before to get members out with us this week so that we can better help them come unto Christ, but also to help the members come closer to Heavenly Father by coming unto Christ as well and participate in his work. As a missionary, I am learning just how important these people are to the work of Jesus Christ. Well, this week we got 6 member present lessons! We were so blessed. We had been diligently working to get members involved, so after all we could do, the Lord blessed us! And now it's a new week, so we get to do it all over again! And we already have some members set up this upcoming week! It takes a lot of prayer and a lot of determination, a lot of planning and a lot of phone calls, but the Lord is who makes it happen in the end. This week we invited our two investigators to be baptized (with a member to testify!). The husband took over and shot us down saying he doesn't know if it's true yet and he's not setting a goal, but the wife didn't say anything. We know she knows it's true and she is reading and praying. We are hoping we can find her alone sometime so that we can talk to her about being baptized. We had another good lesson with a member after that and I think the husband's heart is beginning to soften. We also were going to drop this Christian kid, but then he accepted a baptismal date....so we will see where this goes. He went to seminary for like a year, so he's actually pretty set, but we'll see.

My companionship is doing a lot better too! (communication is key) I feel that I am letting my companion take more of the load and that she is taking it. I think we are also being more diligent. I've been picking up the pace and going going going. If I feel the pace is too slow, I get in front and just go. The spirit is also more present because I no longer feel like I am not fulfilling my full potential. I hope and believe that I am doing all I can and that the Lord is slowly making up the rest. He's just helping me to be patient. Our area is doing a lot better! The work is still very slow, but I am sure as we keep the diligence going, the work will pick up. We also have a ward mission leader now. He is from Ecuador and he was a missionary, frankly he still is! He has a lot of great ideas for the ward and I am so excited to get those going! Like I said the members came out, but now we are still struggling with investigators. It's ok that the members see us struggle a little, because maybe they will start to see how important they are to the work. Then getting them to come out might be less like pulling teeth. I always tell them that they are the miracle and we always find someone with a member if an appointment falls through. Even if it takes a couple knocks. And it's true! I've seen the importance of members by having a lack of member involvement. The work does not progress without it!

It rained a lot this week and it was awesome! It's been so cold, but its supposed to heat up here soon and I am not excited for that. I just want it to be cool already! Two summers......well at least I'll know I worked hard. My clothes will always be sweaty.

Sorry, no pictures this week. I didn't really take any, plus my ipad isn't working. 

Love,

Hermana Lapp

General Conference--October 2015

 How can I become a better missionary? 

1. Turn to Christ for your weaknesses. Don't become discouraged which will lead you to stop trying.
2. Understand that people make mistakes--even church leaders. They need the atonement as well.
3. Put away the thoughts that place Christ (and your purpose as a missionary) off-center. Always keep Him exactly in the center. 
4. Trust in the Lord enough to say "it will all work out", no matter what struggles you are experiencing. 
5. Ask the Lord what is keeping you from progressing as a missionary and change it.
6. Don't excuse yourself and follow God's will.
7. Be righteous, follow the rules, and be prepared for any opposition that will come your way.
8. Have a personal council every night about who you are and who you want to become.
9. Love others with a Motherlike love, which is a Christlike love. 
10. Learn how to teach the investigators like they are your children. 
11. Help others attend the temple, smile--even when it's hard, express love/compassion, and invite others to take the sacrament. 
12. Don't let your doubts overcome your faith. Continue making the light of your testimony brighter so that others can see it better. 
13. Help others to know (and know it yourself) to turn to him to receive an answer. Help the Book of Mormon become delicious to them. Work work work.
14. You will suffer, but use the atonement to heal and help you.
15. No matter what you are going through here, don't let your light dim.
16. Reach out in love to all people no matter who they are, what they look like, where they came from, and what they've done. 
17. Be the light of someone's life by showing selfless service and a love of all men.
18. See people through Heavenly Father's eyes to better serve them. 
19. Become a strong woman who speaks up and steps forward, who makes important things happen through faith, helps missionary work, knows how to receive personal revelation, strengthens family, and teaches fearlessly.
20. Be steadfast in the doctrine. Never make excuses for it because it is not worldly enough for the people you are teaching. 
21. Always remember Him in the work. Try to help your investigators walk in truth.
22. Do whatever you feel God is commanding you to do for Him. Be worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost by keeping your thoughts filled with virtue and your heart filled with charity.
23. Express to your investigators the importance of going to church in personal conversion.
24. Focus on one scripture every week and ponderize.
25. Teach that the gospel helps us meet our full potential. 
26. Trust in God's plan for you, trust the atonement of Jesus Christ, trust the whisperings of the spirit, trust the council of living prophets. 
27. Even when the trials become so difficult and you think you can't bear it, keep going. Remember that God has a specific plan for you and it will all turn out alright. 
28. Trust the council and guidance  of church leaders and general authorities. They are the Lord's mouth piece.