This week has been filled with all sorts of emotions, celebrations, difficulties, and challenges, but most importantly, the Spirit.
I feel as though I've finally gotten the hang of things, and found a balance in the rollercoaster of missionary work. We talk about the ups and downs of missionary work as:
I feel as though I've finally gotten the hang of things, and found a balance in the rollercoaster of missionary work. We talk about the ups and downs of missionary work as:
The investigators that read the Book of Mormon without being asked..
The investigators that don't come to church..
The people on the street who recognize you as a servant of the Lord and ask if you can come visit them..
The people who slam the door in your face as soon as you say hello..
There are numerous experiences I could share of times when things have gone wrong.. but I am always amazed that the power our Father in Heaven has and the Spirit that guides us in our everyday lives. In the MTC, a counselor in the branch presidency told me "The bad times will OUTNUMBER the good, but the good times will OUTWEIGH the bad." I have seen first hand, the truthfulness of this statement.
Remember those two families who came to church? We've been teaching them for about 6 weeks and they are progressing really well. We got a call Tuesday night saying our boundaries changed and that they now live outside of our stake. Hermana Rodriguez and I sat in the car just wanting to cry.. I said a silent prayer in my heart that I would be able to handle the situation the way our Savior would. As we got out of the car, I felt peace come over me. Yes, I was, and still am, really sad that we won't be teaching them anymore, but I know that if they truly are converted to the Lord, it won't matter which missionaries are teaching them. I can only pray that one day I will be able to see them in the temple, being sealed as an eternal family.
Although we had that "ditch" or the bottom part of the rollercoaster, we had the faith that things were looking up. Just like the rollercoaster, we were seeing an upward progression with our other investigators and the work here in Austin.
We met with Jose this week and he accepted a baptismal date for September 28th! We were/are so happy for him. In that moment, all the sad times we had felt earlier that week, disappeared. The Spirit was strong and manifested to us, and Jose, that he is ready for baptism.
We've been teaching Ernesto and trying to help him overcome alcoholism through our support and prayers. Time after time, visit after visit, he's still drinking. We went to see him yesterday with Hermana Gonzalez. Before we got out of the car, we prayed that we would be guided to know what to say. We knocked the door and as soon as he opened it, we could smell the overpowering smell of alcohol.. My hope sank and I was trying not to show my disappointment. We sat down and started talking. He was shaking. He told us that he hadn't had a drink in over 24 hours! His hands were shaking and couldn't keep still. He said "this is it. i'm quitting" We decided to sing the hymn, "O Mi Padre", with him. The spirit filled the room. I can't even explain it! It was incredible. He told us he had done his "homework" which was 1 Nephi chapter 7.. but that he also read chapter 8! He explained Lehi's dream perfectly.. The Spirit was SO strong! Wow. We had finished talking and we said "Ernesto.. you're not shaking anymore" he said "I feel better."
I know that the Lord will ALWAYS bless us. If we do our part, no matter where we're at on the rollercoaster (of missionary work, of life, etc.) He will always lift us back up. This work is true. This Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is the head of this church. We have a living Prophet today who leads us. Let us prepare ourselves for General Conference. I know that if we pray to have our hearts and minds opened, we will find comfort and answers as President Monson and his apostles speaks to us. What a blessing it is to belong to the true Church.
I love you all and am so thankful for your examples. Thank you for your prayers and support! Have a great week!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Egbert
we met these kids last night.. i gave them pass along cards and they asked if they could have more to give their friends! missionaries in training.. :)
Remember those two families who came to church? We've been teaching them for about 6 weeks and they are progressing really well. We got a call Tuesday night saying our boundaries changed and that they now live outside of our stake. Hermana Rodriguez and I sat in the car just wanting to cry.. I said a silent prayer in my heart that I would be able to handle the situation the way our Savior would. As we got out of the car, I felt peace come over me. Yes, I was, and still am, really sad that we won't be teaching them anymore, but I know that if they truly are converted to the Lord, it won't matter which missionaries are teaching them. I can only pray that one day I will be able to see them in the temple, being sealed as an eternal family.
Although we had that "ditch" or the bottom part of the rollercoaster, we had the faith that things were looking up. Just like the rollercoaster, we were seeing an upward progression with our other investigators and the work here in Austin.
We met with Jose this week and he accepted a baptismal date for September 28th! We were/are so happy for him. In that moment, all the sad times we had felt earlier that week, disappeared. The Spirit was strong and manifested to us, and Jose, that he is ready for baptism.
We've been teaching Ernesto and trying to help him overcome alcoholism through our support and prayers. Time after time, visit after visit, he's still drinking. We went to see him yesterday with Hermana Gonzalez. Before we got out of the car, we prayed that we would be guided to know what to say. We knocked the door and as soon as he opened it, we could smell the overpowering smell of alcohol.. My hope sank and I was trying not to show my disappointment. We sat down and started talking. He was shaking. He told us that he hadn't had a drink in over 24 hours! His hands were shaking and couldn't keep still. He said "this is it. i'm quitting" We decided to sing the hymn, "O Mi Padre", with him. The spirit filled the room. I can't even explain it! It was incredible. He told us he had done his "homework" which was 1 Nephi chapter 7.. but that he also read chapter 8! He explained Lehi's dream perfectly.. The Spirit was SO strong! Wow. We had finished talking and we said "Ernesto.. you're not shaking anymore" he said "I feel better."
I know that the Lord will ALWAYS bless us. If we do our part, no matter where we're at on the rollercoaster (of missionary work, of life, etc.) He will always lift us back up. This work is true. This Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is the head of this church. We have a living Prophet today who leads us. Let us prepare ourselves for General Conference. I know that if we pray to have our hearts and minds opened, we will find comfort and answers as President Monson and his apostles speaks to us. What a blessing it is to belong to the true Church.
I love you all and am so thankful for your examples. Thank you for your prayers and support! Have a great week!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Egbert
we met these kids last night.. i gave them pass along cards and they asked if they could have more to give their friends! missionaries in training.. :)
Birthday cake before the ward party
may or may not have had poop on my foot.. haha
last week at transfer meeting - sister legge :)
love these little boys!
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