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