July 29th, 2013

Buenos Dias!

Well i'm in Austin! After many sad goodbyes in Eagle Pass on Wednesday, we drove up to San Antonio with all the missionaries who were being transferred. I stayed with some sisters in San Antonio Wednesday night and headed to transfer meeting with them Thursday morning. I didnt get assigned an area at the San Antonio Transfer meeting, so then we piled in the van and headed to Austin! We received our new companions and areas. I'm serving in the Riverside ward here in Austin. My companion is Hermana Rodriguez. She's hilarious and I'm so excited to work with her! She's from El Salvador! She's lived in Houston for a year and a half, but can only speak Spanish. I guess it's the Lord's way of making me speak my mission language at all times! I can already feel the improvement with my Spanish and I know that it is because my Heavenly Father is helping me. Austin is weird. That's it's motto.. "keep Austin weird." Within my first few hours, I understood the meaning behind it. It's the kind of thing you have to experience for yourself though.
My first night here we had dinner with a less active family. We walked in and I saw a picture that looked super familiar.. it was Giraffe Manor! in Kenya! Oh it made me so happy to see it. We spent the next hour talking about Africa and the safari's that they went on and the places we went that were the same. It brought back a lot of great memories. And it immediately formed a connection with the family and I. The members here are super strong. We are over the Spanish ward so we can only have Spanish investigators! If we contact someone on the street that speaks English, we refer them to the other sisters here in Austin. I didn't think I'd speak more Spanish than I did on the border, but i'm doing it! 
We have lots of investigators! And seven of them are working towards their baptismal dates! What a blessing it is to see fruits of our labor. We as missionaries are on a team. Many times we don't get to knock, teach, and baptize one person. It takes time. If we trust in the Lord, He will bless them, in His timing. I pray for my investigators in Eagle Pass and know that one day, some missionaries will be able to baptize them. But as for now, they are in the Lord's hands and He is preparing them. We have a baptism scheduled with a 11 year old boy named Isaac on August 3! He is so excited! I love seeing the excitement in kids eyes when they talk about the Gospel. 

It's going to take some adjusting, to get used to Austin. But i'm ready for it. I have definitely learned to trust in the Lord more than ever before. I have moments of discouragement but I know that faith and fear cannot exist at the same time. So I have two decisions, either strengthen my faith, or continue in fear. I know that Heavenly Father will bless me as i strive to be obedient and diligent in this marvelous work! President Slaughter shared an awesome thought at transfer meeting this week.. He said "What's D&C 18:10" A lot of us were able to recite "remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" He replied, "that's great.. but look at the last thing in the verse.. a semicolon.. That means there's MORE" We then looked at verse 11 .. "For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him." We are great in the Sight of God because we have a Reedemer. We have a Savior. Who has suffered for each one of us individually. I find so much comfort in the Atonement. I know that Jesus Christ lives. That He is our Savior and that we can repent and Come Unto Him and He will Succor Us (Alma 7:11-12) I love this Gospel. I love you all!
Have a great week and know that I am praying for each of you individually!

Hermana Egbert

MY NEW ADDRESS:
6201 Sneed Cove Apt # 1220
Austin, Texas
78744

Birch Creek! (A Secret fishing spot in Idaho that only our family knows about)

Batman...pretty neat!

Sister King and I -- Madi Bernson's friend :) any chance you could get this to her parents? and then send it to madi?

the pillowcases mom sent us!! we were so excited :) i cried when i read it

Last trip to Taco Bell with Sister Salisbury

Teaching piano lessons

The after effects of the flood ha ha

July 22nd, 2013

Familia!!

Ah I have so much that I want to tell you but only a little bit of time! This week has been incredible. We are finally starting to see the "fruits of our labor" with our investigators and finding new people who are ready to learn. We have been teaching piano lessons twice a week. We bring in three pianos to the Relief Society room and teach about 20 people each time! It's overwhelming, but somehow they learn and are excited to come back. We are teaching simplified hymns and our goal is to have the branch with 3 pianists by the next few months. We've been working really hard with the members to get new people to teach, to come with us to lessons, and to give us referrals. Missionary work is not possible without the members. Get involved! Help the missionaries.

We had so many spiritual experiences this week, a few were with our investigators, but one that really helped me was Zone Meeting. We learned a lot about what our Heavenly Father expects of us. It was inspiring and got me pumped up and ready to get to work! 

Transfer calls were last night.. i'm leaving Eagle Pass. I will also be training in a new area. It's really hard to go. I've received multiple calls from the members here asking what happened and who's being transferred and each time that I tell them I'm leaving, it brings tears to my eyes. The members here have welcomed me in and helped me feel at home. It's been hard but I know that the Lord has a plan for me and that I need to go find those in another area of the TSAM to teach, and bring closer to Christ. In Zone Meeting we learned that "we cannot expect others to change, if we aren't willing to change as well. come unto Christ." i love that. it's short and simple, yet so powerful. We have to continually come unto Christ. Especially if we're expecting others to do so. 

I was reading Alma 37 this morning and i felt such excitement and comfort in verses 33-47. All we are commanded to do is keep the commandments of God. It's simple. Come Unto Christ and teach His Doctrine. We won't be led astray. He is always there. 

Thank you for your prayers and support. I can feel them each and every day. I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

I'll send you my new address next week!!

Love,

Hermana Egbert

p.s. I can't believe that Paola Velez really brought me the package! What a small world that we live in :) We talked about her surgery she's going to get from dad and then i asked who her orthodontist was and she said chuck jackson.. i was like "hey.. i know his neighbors pretty well :)" haha she has two hugs for you mom and dad!  

The Sanchez Family...my FAVORITE! 

Paola Velez and I at her parents house...We eat with the Velez every Friday :)

July 15th, 2013

Familia!!

Wow.. this week was great. We had zone conference on Wednesday in Del Rio. (about an hour away from eagle pass). We had a great lesson from the Assistants on "remembering the alamo" and remembering our purpose here in the great TSAM. President talked to us about the Abrahamic Covenant. it was incredibly powerful! He told us "how can you preach the Gospel if you dont know who you are first?" I learned so many new insights and many of my prayers were answered throughout his teachings. I was able to have an interview with him afterwards and it went really well! He is a man called of God.
Sister Salisbury and I have been working so hard and for some reason we're just not seeing the "fruits of our labors." President told us on wednesday "work your butt off, but dont beat yourself up" I loved that. We worked all week long and finally last night, we received a tender mercy of the Lord. A former investigator who we have been teaching, (Stephanie- 17 years old and loves God) invited us in to meet her mom. (Who only speaks spanish) We got to know her and then met her 5 siblings, dad, and aunt! They ALL want to learn and said that they will find their Book of Mormon before we come back so that they can read from it! WOW. It was incredible. We had a short lesson with them on Eternal Families and set up an appointment with them Tuesday. Mariela's boys are still progressing, they're out of town until next weekend so we just pray that they will continue to pray and read until then.
Things are great here in Eagle Pass. I love it so much! I never thought a mission could be this rewarding. I'm being stretched more than I ever have been before but have been extremely blessed as I do my best. I love this Gospel. It's true. The Book of Mormon is true. I love you all, thank you for everything! Transfer calls are sunday so i will let you know next week whether i'm staying or going!
Have a great week!

Love,
Hermana Egbert

Stephanie and her family :)

President Slaughter and his wife and us at Rudy's (best bbq place in texas.. only we got to eat with them after the interviews! we felt extremely lucky!)

July 8th, 2013

Familia...

Wow what an incredible week. The Fourth of July was a mix of all different things.. We had a lesson with a new potential investigator, then went to the church for lunch with our district. I made my bundt cake and layered it red white and blue.. i've still got the touch! Afterwards we went to a less active family that we've been working with and had a barbeque. Texans sure know how to barbeque! We have an investigator who was Miss Eagle Pass this year and so she needed help decorating her float for the parade. We were able to help her and then share a few scriptures afterwards. Her name is Lissette and she is incredible. Her mom has been fighting cancer for over a year now and probably wont make it much longer. She's 20, and I am amazed at her faith and her trust in God and His plan. After helping her with the float, we received permission to go to the festival downtown. There were so many people! It was on the border. Literally right by the river. All the Mexicans were waiting on the other side to watch the fireworks. I was surprised at how much patriotism the people in Eagle Pass had. Although most of them still were waving their Mexican flags :) The only time I had a little bit of homesickness was when I heard "God Bless America".. and couldn't stand on the chairs in the backyard with Marielle and Julianne and sing at the top of our lungs haha but It was a good day and I am so thankful to live in the country that we do. That we have the freedom to worship and share the Gospel! What a blessing.

Mariela's sons still want to be baptized.. we're just working on the dad. He needs to give them permission to do so. We were able to go to Alex's (the 8 year old) baseball game this week. It was so fun! He was actually really good.. It brought back a lot of good memories playing all summer long. He was so happy we came and gave us huge high 5's after. It meant a lot to Mariela because she was out of town so we went in her place. Hopefully they will be baptized soon! We'll continue to pray and keep the faith.

During the week I always try to think of things to talk about in the e-mail home, but this week, nothing extremely spiritual or amazing happened, until yesterday. Testimony meeting was amazing!! The Spirit was SO strong. We started in the Spanish branch. My heart was pounding the entire meeting. Then we had English sacrament meeting 2 hours later and the same thing happened! I am continually impressed and strengthened by the members here. There's not many, but their testimonies are strong and they are faithful. In Relief Society, (english branch) we were given the last 10 minutes to bear testimony, if any one wanted to. The Spirit was again, SO strong. I love hearing others testimonies. I had the opportunity to share my testimony in all 3 meetings. Each time, I felt so much joy and comfort. I know that each of us have testimonies. The Spirit is the teacher. If we but simply share our testimonies, it allows the Spirit to enter into the hearts of those whom we are sharing with. I know we all can strengthen our testimonies. I remember in seminary a teacher told me "Your testimony will increase as you share it." We have an incredible blessing to be members of this Church. Go share it! Offer others what we have. I love this Gospel. I am so thankful for my Savior and the Atonement. I know that without Christ, we are nothing. (Moroni 7:48) I love being a missionary. Be safe! Thanks for all your prayers, letters, support and love! Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Egbert

The Galindos- one of the daughters is named jesusita :) haha i love them all

I miss the 4th of July...She makes me look awful ha ha

4th of July pics

Happy 4th of July!

July 1st, 2013

Family and Friends!

How are all of you? It's been another rough, but rewarding week here in Eagle Pass. The work is progressing and we're starting to have a few more investigators. President Jones has officially left and we can now say we have a new mission president! President Slaughter and his wife came this week and we will be having a Zone Meeting with them on the 10th. 

I mentioned last week, dealing with a little bit of homesickness.. But with your prayers and with the infinite Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ, I have found comfort and peace. 

We had an incredible set of meeting yesterday at church. The Spirit was so strong! We heard from a high councilman and his wife. They talked about Lot's wife and the Power of Prayer. With the talk on Lot's wife, they mentioned how we need not look back, but instead look forward. Look forward to Christ. Then the talk on the power of prayer. I can already say that my testimony of prayer has grown incredibly on my mission. I LOVE PRAYER. It's a time to truly talk to our Father in Heaven. He wants to hear from us. He wants to help us. All we have to do is call upon Him. I have found myself on my knees multiple times, pleading with my Heavenly Father. He helps me every time. He will help us all. 

Our investigators are progressing.. Still waiting to hear what Mariela's husband has to say about their sons being baptized.. but we have faith! The Lord will make things work in His own timing. 

I love the Gospel. I love being a missionary. I love the Power of Prayer and know that it is real. I pray for you all each and every day. I testify that this Church is true. That the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that we can come closer to our Savior and our Heavenly Father by reading it.
I love you all! Thanks for all your support! Happy 4th of July! We'll see how they celebrate it down here on the border.. :)

Love,

Hermana Egbert

i'll send more next week! i'm out of time! but this is scarlett and i. she's a member here and is moving to san antonio! she's starting her papers in 6 months!

June 24th, 2013

Family!

Wow I really miss you. It's been a rough few weeks transitioning and I think that's the cause of a little bit of homesickness, but like always, Heavenly Father answers my prayers and strengthens me more than I could've asked for. So many things have been thrown off this week as far as our daily schedule goes because we have been doing service for the entire week. Our area that Sister Salisbury and I serve in of Eagle Pass was completely flooded. We started helping on Tuesday morning and had to call in the missionaries from neighboring areas to come help us Wednesday. It was awful to see how much damage was done. We have been tearing down sheet rock and hauling out clothes, furniture and tv's all week long. I pulled a dress out of a closet and took it to the owner of the house and asked where she wanted it.. she just starting crying and told me it was her wedding dress. She told me to throw it in the dumpster. Ah it was so sad. I mentioned last week that we were cleaning out the Velez's home, but theirs was the best one we've seen. One house completely flooded to the ceiling! The Church sent down 600 cleaning kits and hygiene kits from Salt Lake and over 1000 bottles of water to help in the disaster relief. People are so thankful for our efforts and have been amazed at how much work we are doing, for free. The Church organization is incredible. It's a great feeling being able to help others. It's opened up the eyes of people here in Eagle Pass. Many of the people we helped were former investigators, and now we just hope that they will be open to the message that we have to share. 

We are in the middle of the finding stages of investigators, but we have 2 progressing investigators. We knocked on a door about a month ago of a lady named Mariela. She told us she was a member but hadn't been to church in years. She has 3 little boys. They're 11 8 and 6. She's come to church the past 2 weeks and her kids love it! Her husband is Catholic and works for Border Patrol from 8 am to 8 pm so he doesn't know she's coming to church each week. We're praying that his heart will be softened. She asked us if we could find out the date that she was baptized so we did and when we told her she got emotional and asked if we could find the missionaries that baptized her. I dont know if we'll be able to, but it made me think of the impact that I could possibly have on someones life. Whether they remember me in 10 years or not, I only pray that they will come to know the truthfulness of this Gospel. Last night at the MTC broadcast, I was filled again with the same joy and excitement I felt when I was filling out my papers, receiving my call, and entering the MTC. Missionary work is hard. But I trust in my Heavenly Father and serve others. I know that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it is the only true church on this earth. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have. I love you all and thank you for your prayers and support. They are much needed and I appreciate them! I love you!! Have a great week!

Hermana Egbert