August 26th, 2013

Familia!

What a great week in Austin.. Last week in Sacrament I had the opportunity to translate for a family that was attending who only spoke english. I had to speak into a microphone and they all had their headsets on. I was nervous, but it went well. I'm finally able to feel confident in my Spanish. The work is progressing and my companion and I are starting to see the fruits of our labor. We have some great progressing investigators right now.. i'm going to talk a little bit about all of them:
Abacuc- he's 70 years old, likes to be grumpy, loves the book of mormon, comes to church every week, wants to get baptized once his divorce is finalized. He has a baptismal date for september 7th 
Pati and Roman- They have 4 little boys who are adorable! Pati is an evangelist and is very strong in her beliefs. roman is hilarious and just enjoys learning, he doesn't attend church with pati because he'd rather play soccer :) their four boys are 11, 7, 6, and 4. They LOVE us. They always get so excited when we come over and they beg their parents for us to come back everyday. we're slowly, and carefully working with Pati, we can't be too pushy with her or we're afraid she wont want us to continue teaching her family.
Cesar and Loli- i love them! They have 2 little kids, Julian and Karan. They are 6 and 4. I play with them usually during the lesson to keep them quiet while Hermana Rodriguez teaches Loli and Cesar. We use my plan of salvation puzzle with them and the kids love it.
Luis y 3 hijas- Luis was a referral from the english elders. He has 3 daughters and no wife. He has the saddest life story, but to hear him talk, blows me away. he has so much faith. he only works 2 days of the week and is looking for work. his daughters are beautiful and are 15, 13, and 8. He shared an experience with us about how he hadn't talked to his brother in over a year. We asked him to say the closing prayer after the lesson, and he did, and got emotional about it. He called us the next day and was so excited. he said "my brother wrote me a letter! its because i prayed! heavenly father heard me!" Ah my heart was filled with comfort knowing that not only did God answer his prayer, but that Luis recognized it. 
Jose- Jose and Erika were the couple that we were teaching, and the sisters before us have been teaching. They wanted to be baptized but weren't married. They have been living together for 5 years. Jose comes to church every week, but Erika doesn't  We tried telling them over and over again that they either have to split up, or get married. Recently however, Erika has been really busy. We stopped by and visited Jose to set up an appointment and he looked really sad. He started crying and told us that he and Erika were no longer together. After a few minutes of him explaining to us what had happened, he was bawling and so distressed. Suddenly he stopped and said "but now i can get baptized right?" I looked at Hermana Rodriguez to make sure I understood what he said, we both sat there in shock. The spirit was so strong. He then testified how God works in His own ways. He said as soon as his heart is a little more healed from the break up, he wants to get baptized. We sat there, not knowing what to say. It was a very humbling experience.He comes to church every week so he can get baptized tomorrow if he wants. It's up to him!
We had a great training this week from President Slaughter. It was titled "Faith in Finding" He shared so many great insights on how to better find, through the members, through referrals, and through our faith. I have been studying lately, faith. I have read the BD multiple times on Faith and each time, I learn something new. I love when it says "Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation... Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith... by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that he gives to his saints." Wow. Powerful. In reading the Book of Mormon, I also have noticed a trend.. most of the time when it talks about faith, it talks about "faith in christ" or "faith on His name."
I know that as we center our Faith in Christ, our burdens will be lightened. We will better understand the Atonement. We will receive answers to our prayers. We will be able, to one day, "stand in the presence of God."
Se que esta iglesia es verdadera. Me encanta que yo tengo la oportunidad a servir mi Padre Celestial. Se que podemos vivir juntos con El otra vez, a traves del Plan de Salvacion. Estoy muy agradecido por todas las bendiciones que Dios nos ha dado. Gracias a ustedes por todo. Tengan una buena semana!
Les amo!!
con amor,
Hermana Egbert
Oh ps...
Transfer calls are on Sunday, so i'll let you know next week if i'm staying or going!

Julian and Karan.. love them!

this is Ricky.. he is the sweetest little boy! one of our members watches him during the day. He  loves when we teach him about Jesus :) He cant talk but can understand everything we say.

la familia osorio.. love them!

Painting my fingernails during a lesson :)

LOVE THEM!! they painted my nails.. and my bag.. and my skirt :( haha

A member from Eagle Pass goes to UT so she came and surprised me at church this week! Lily and I

After a lesson with Ernesto.. eating a mango :)

La Familia De La Cerda.. Grandma on the left, Mom on the right, 5 daughters and me in the middle!

Ricky!! he loves woody. 

August 19th, 2013

Familia..

Another week in Austin! It's been a crazy one. We've had lots of great lessons and met lots of new people. As I have been pondering about what to write home this week, my thoughts are constantly turned to service. I was reading in Preach My Gospel the other day and for some reason, when i read the line, "You have been called to serve.." it hit me. I have been called to SERVE. Serving others doesn't always mean painting your neighbors fence, or carrying groceries in for the lady next door. You can serve by sharing your testimony. That is one of the greatest ways I have been able to "lose myself" in the service of our Savior. 
As times continues on, I have found more and more struggles and disappointments with our investigators, with the work, but i have also found more and more opportunities to serve others. I was having a rough day this week, we were invited to a birthday party for Judy Meza. Her dad is completely active, her mom comes about 60% of the time and her younger sister hasn't been in years. This family is so loving and always has us over for dinner. She calls us everyday to make sure we have somewhere to eat. Judy (the daughter) has many health difficulties and can't talk. but she uses sign language to communicate. It's been a neat experience to be able to sign with her, as i try to remember what I learned in my ASL class in 7th grade. We went to the party and were the first ones to arrive. Their daughter Nancy was there. We've been trying to meet with her my whole time i've been here in Austin and haven't been able to do it. We noticed something was different as soon as we walked it. Nancy immediately asked us about the Plan of Salvation. Her cousin had passed away the day before and she wanted to know where he was and what was going to happen. After we read a few scriptures, I finally just opened my mouth, praying that the Spirit would lead me what to say. She started crying, the spirit filled the room and I realized my problems that were making me sad, weren't problems at all. I know that our families can live together forever. I know that this time away from home, though it may be hard at times, is so short compared to the eternities. I am so grateful for the knowledge of this Gospel and the opportunity I have to help others live with their families forever. 
I am so thankful that Baby McCrae made it safely to Marielle and Conner! I know that he was just with our Father in Heaven. What a blessing it is to have a newborn in your arms and to be able to feel of their sweet spirits. 
Family, you truly are what keeps me going. I am so grateful for you and your examples. I pray everyday that we can each come closer to Christ. Our brother. So that we can be worthy to live with Him again. As an eternal family. It is my prayer that we will all do our part. That we will serve others, and in doing so, we will be serving God. 
I know this Church is true. I know that the only way to happiness is through this gospel. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true! I love it. I love my mission. Have a great week!

Con Amor,
Hermana Egbert

lovely sweat after walking to the capitol

Judy and hermana rodriguez and i :)

Abacuc.. one of our investigators he has a date for the 7th of September. He's the funniest old man. We always teach him at Hermana Paulson's house :)

Hermana Meza and Judy (on the left)

best surprise ever!! we're HOPEFULLY going to move to new apartments thanks to Brother Turner! It was so nice to see a familiar face.. not to mention receive a hand delivered package. :)

August 12th, 2013

Family!

Wow. Another week has gone by. This is such an incredible time to be a missionary. I am overwhelmed by the Spirit and the success that is happening here in Austin. You really can see a difference in missionary work when the members are involved. We have an incredible bishop who is so spiritually in tune with missionary work. I am excited to continue working here and bringing the sheep back into our Heavenly Father's fold. 
We had a baptism on Saturday! Isaac is a 12 year old and his family, used to bea  part-member family, but now are ALL members, as of Saturday :) The Missionaries have been teaching him for over a year but something has always come up when it comes to the actual filling the font and baptizing him. We challenged him to pray so that he could pick a day and be baptized. That was two weeks ago and because of the faithful prayer of a 12 year old, with such a strong desire to be baptized, it happened. His dad was able to baptize him, and confirm him the next day in Sacrament Meeting. What an incredible experience it is to witness a family making convenants together and working towards the celestial kingdom.
 I think as missionaries, we need the spirit and reverance of the Sacred Sacrament just as much as our investigators. I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and hears our prayers. Church was incredible yesterday and I was overwhelemed with the spirit and testimonies that were shared. What a humbling experience it is to be able to feel the spirit so strongly, in a language other than my own. I know that Heavenly Father is helping me and if I work hard i will be able to obtain the Gift of Tongues. A member asked me where I was from and I said Utah, and she didnt believe me. She said I have too good of an accent to be an American. Haha
We had a lesson with Crystal and Evelyn. Crystal is 7 and Evelyn is 9. They are cousins and Evelyn's parents are inactive. These girls are amazing! I wish you could all hear the way they pray. Crystal said the cutest thing "Heavenly Father, I pray that you can-one day- get a break. You always listen and watch over us, and i think you need a break to take a nap or something. but thank you for the beautiful world that i live in..."  she went on for another few minutes. After the prayer, the spirit was so strong! I love both of these girls. Crystal has a date to be baptized on October 18th (Her 8th birthday). She can hardly wait! It's just a matter of getting her mom to act, and come to church as well. 
I myself have felt my Heavely Father answering my prayers more than ever this week. As the struggles of missionary work really set in, it's easy to just give up. But as we push through the hard times, we will come out stronger than before. I feel as though I am constantly being refined. I had the wonderful opportunity of receiving a blessing this week. I was feeling the stress of training, only speaking spanish, and all the other things that Satan throws at us, and I humbly asked my Heavenly Father what to do. Immediatley, I thought of all the times I have received a priesthood blessing from Dad. I am so grateful for the Priesthood. The blessing was given in Spanish and I know that it was my Heavenly Father speaking to me. I felt His love and peace come over me. 
I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He will answer us. Maybe not in our own timing, but in His timing. He will always be there for us. I know that this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father will always answer our prayers if we have faith and humbly kneel and ask for His help. I love you all! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Have a great week!
Love,
Hermana Egbert

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIC!!! :) 

Isaac and I --

Crystal and Evelyn :)
Evelyn is the one on the left and Crystal on the right.

I dont burn ties every month.. i just decided to change my pillowcase every 6 months haha

after years of sister missionaries living in the same apartment.. SICK!!!!!

August 5th, 2013

Family!
I hope you all had a great week. Thank you for all your prayers and love. I felt it more this week than ever. Change is difficult, but I know that the Lord needs me here in Austin. I'm ready to find the elect! I'm getting to know the members better and we're really working hard with our investigators. Isaac is 12. His family was inactive for awhile but they come to church every week now and we've been teaching him. He's getting baptized on Saturday! We are really excited. He's the funniest little kid.
Hermana Rodriguez and I are continuing to understand each other better day by day. (The fact that I HAVE to speak Spanish in order for her to understand me, is completely humbling. I'm so thankful though because I know it will help me learn to speak it better) She is hilarious and we get along great.  
I am overwhelmed with the love and support of all of you this week. My prayers were answered in so many ways. All of your letters, cards, and packages made me cry haha Especially when Dylan sent me a little stuffed Giraffe. She wrote in a card "Thanks for serving a mision. hug this giraf when you get lonly. i love you marissa. your still my favorit aunt" I was amazed by how much love and motivation it brought me. The simple words of a 7 year old picked me up and helped me to get over the sometimes discouraging effects of missionary work. All my nieces and nephews are such a strength to me. I pray that I can be an example to them. I know that this church is true. I see broken families, and teenagers who don't have a relationship with God. It breaks my heart. It makes me even more grateful for the family I have and the opportunity we have to live together for eternity. 
We are blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know He loves me. and He loves each one of you. We have a loving Heavenly Father whom we can turn to in prayer. He will always help us. I have gained a greater testimony of prayer than anything else on my mission. I am constantly amazed at the power of prayer. It is real. He hears us.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!!
Hermana Egbert
p.s. American Idol auditions are in Austin this week :) 

hermana paulsen.. she is my favorite! the cutest old lady in the world. she served a mission on her own, one with her 
husband, and another service one!

frying tortillas with hermana de la cerda.. mmm nothin like a little grease :)

dad sent me a can of "nuts"... A SNAKE! haha i totally got hit in the face.

This package saved my life this week! from dad and from londyn dilly and harper.. Dilly sent me a giraffe and wrote a note that said "Thanks for going on a mision.hug this giraf when you get lonly" ahh i was bawling. that alone made me want to work so much harder. to set an example for my nieces and nephews. i love you all so much :) 
and yes dad, you got me with the snake and the mouse!