April 8th, 2013

Hola!

Wow wasn't conference amazing? We were able to watch all 4 sessions, and priesthood session! I loved the focus on Missionary work and the importance of becoming better members. Maybe it's just because i'm a missionary, but I felt like it was all about mission work and bringing others to Christ, including ourselves.
(Marielle.. congrats on a BOY!! i knew it! )
This week had it's ups and downs.. lots of lessons canceled. Not as many contacts as we should've had. Lots of really hot days. But the Spirit of the work overpowers all of those things. On Thursday, we decided to fast for one of our investigators. His name is Philip. He's in a motorcycle gang. He knows the doctrine like the back of his hand. He wants this Gospel, you can tell. But he's so "high up" in ranking in his gang, that he says it would be dangerous for him to leave. He's a giant teddy bear and has the sweetest testimony. But he's caught in a difficult situation. We fasted for him and then decided to go to Wendy's for dinner. Because 1, we were starving, and 2, we hadn't had normal food in a few weeks. We bought one of everything off the dollar menu haha After we finished we headed out to meet with a new contact we had met the day before. She was a strong catholic woman, Armenia. She was super hesitant to listen and wouldnt open up to us but then we shared with her the first vision and she completely opened up. Her eyes changed and she was asking lots of questions. We set a return appointment with her. After her visit, we went to Claudia's. She has a son that is almost 8 and wants to be baptized. She's a member and her husband killed himself about a year ago. She has such a passion for this Gospel and eternal families. When we walked in, she asked "how many tacos do you want? 2, 3, 4?" we all looked at eachother.. we're eating again? we just ate the entire dollar menu! we accepted her food and shared a lesson with her son. All of our eyes were watering. Not because of the spirit though.. the onions were stronger than ever. yes, mom--i ate onions! after that lesson we left, completely stuffed. Her daughter came running out after us yelling "you forgot the dessert!" and threw ice cream sandwiches at us.. haha ahh we were so full. we went and knocked doors in a few different neighborhoods. At 8, we were supposed to go have dinner at Hermano Velensuela's home. He's the ward mission leader in the Spanish branch. However, he's in active. We told ourselves we would just have a few bites to be polite.. (at this point, i've never been so full in my life) he pulls out tacos from his taco stand that he owns. Everyone got tacos, but Sister Ferguson and I had to take the last two things wrapped up in foil. We were hoping it was something healthy.. we opened them up and they were tortas. pretty much a fried sandwich. We forced them down and were ready to leave. But Hermano Valensuela asked us to finish our sodas.. the perfect ending to our third dinner..
I feel bad I probably sound so ungrateful and rude.. I dont mean it that way at all! I love the people. They just give you a lot of food.. They give you all they have to offer. It's hard because you dont want to eat all of their food, but if you don't, they get offended. They are all so humble and willing to learn.
We had Zone Conference Friday so our Mission President and his wife came down to the border and we all met in Del Rio. It was a powerful day. We learned a ton. Then the next morning we had interviews with him in Eagle Pass. It was crazy because I had just written down a few questions that I hoped to have answered in General Conference. When I met with him, one thing stuck in my mind.. He said "You are called by a prophet of God. You are a Daughter of God. You are a Misisonary. Nothing can stop you." IT brought so much comfort and motivation to get out and get to work! Right after that, we watched the first session of conference. I loved it! I can't wait to go through and read all the talks again.. I loved all the talks and felt each one of them impact me. I was touched by the opening prayer.. I noticed how he said "let us act on the words which we hear today" I thought that was a great way to look at it. A lot of times, we may listen to the words of our Prophet and appreciate that which we have been told.. but how many times do we actually ACT upon the words, and change our ways or fix the things that need fixing? I am determined to be a better missionary. I love this work and this Gospel. I know that it is only through our Savior Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven and our families for eternity. That is the greatest blessing. I love you all and can't tell you how much I appreciate your love and support! Be safe :)
love,
hermana egbert

p.s. the pictures are of Dania and I (we were wearing matching skirts.. she's getting baptized soon and has the sweetest spirit! i love her)

and the other one is my companions and I prepping root beer floats for after priesthood session

zone conference.. dont mind the fact that my eyes are watering.. sister ferguson is next to me. funniest person you will ever meet. haha

some awkward man in the street doing lunges.. i guess you kinda had to be there. but we were laughing really hard. not at him. with him.  haha

root beer floats.. we had an investigator ask if we had beer floats.. then he'd come haha we told him no