October 28th, 2013

Familia!

   Como estan todos? Happy Birthday Jon! I hope you had a great day. I'm thankful for all of you and our eternal family :) Thank you for the cards and letters this week. They were much needed.  

  I'll be honest, this week has been one of the most difficult so far. But I have seen the Lord's tender mercies each and every day. Tuesday, we had a rough day, lots of appointments falling through, and still trying to get to know each other (my companion and I). We went and visited Akemy. We had an incredible lesson with her about the Holy Ghost. She told us that she can feel it whenever we're at her house. The spirit truly was so strong as we bore testimony and shared experiences that we have had. We set up another appointment and left. As we rushed to the next lesson and then on to piano lessons, we realized Akemy had called us twice! I called her as we were running into the church to start piano. She said "hola hermana.. i'm outside the church." I was taken back.. she's at the church? We ran back outside and there she was! With her daughter! They came for piano lessons. It was a great way for her to get to know some of the women in the ward. Afterwards we gave her a tour of the church and she loved the chapel. She said she could "feel something." I am so thankful for the spirit and the work it does in the hearts of those who are seeking for the truth. 

     Another tender mercy was the opportunity of going on exchanges this week. I was able to go with Hermana Christensen. She and I went to BYU together so it was fun to be with her for a day. We worked really hard and learned a lot from each other. One thing that was incredible to learn was during our studies.. We read Moroni's Promise. As we know, we have to read, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon to know if it is true. Then in turn, we will feel it in our hearts, "by the power of the holy ghost ye may know the truth of all things." We talked about this, and then Hermana Christensen pointed out something that President Slaughter had taught the Sister Training Leaders/Zone Leaders a few weeks ago.. As we read Moroni 10:3 it says "if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men... that ye shall receive these things and ponder it in your hearts"  the "it" that it is talking about, is the mercy of God. As we read the Book of Mormon, we will realize how merciful our Lord and God has been unto the children of men. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Moroni has given us the promise that as we read the book, we will not only know of the truthfulness of the words, but we will know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that makes sense the way I explained it, I was blown away by the power behind that. 

    Oh I almost forgot.. Jose is getting baptized Saturday! (Keep your fingers crossed!) 

   I know that this church is true. I know that missionary work is hard, but there's no place I'd rather be right now than in the hands of our Lord, assisting in His marvelous work. I love you all and pray for you constantly. Have a great week and be safe!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Con amor,
Hermana Egbert

Hermana Christensen and I after exchanges :)  y Hermana Done and I at church

The Riverside District

La familia Molina

hermana gonzalez y yo      she's like a mom to me out here. i love her to death

October 21st, 2013

Familia:

    Como estan? I hope this email finds you all well, and involved in missionary work. This truly is the greatest work on the earth. And I have seen the Lord hastening it daily.
    We had a meeting with our bishop yesterday before church. He brought out this great plan for the ward. (We have lots of less actives) He said we're going to do a 40 day fast. Each day, for the next 40 days, one family in the ward is going to fast. (So our family would fast tomorrow, another family would fast on Wednesday, and so on.) So over the span of 40 days, our ward will be involved in this fast. He shared some personal experiences of fasting and the Spirit filled the room. I truly know that the power of fasting is real. He also said that each family should start reading the Book of Mormon together EVERY DAY. He asked us, as missionaries to visit each member in the ward, and read with them. He promised us that if we do this, they will gain a stronger testimony and feel of the joy of this gospel which will then lead them to sharing it. He asked "How can we expect them to share the gospel, if they themselves don't even know it's true?" I pray that each of you are reading EVERY DAY. Especially with my nieces and nephews. Teach them the way. Make the time. Be the example. 

  Our investigators are continuing to progress and make the necessary changes in their lives. Jose opened the door the other day and said "hola hermanas, tengo algo a decirles" (He had something to tell us) My heart dropped.. i for sure thought he was going to tell us he didn't want to be baptized. but then he opened the door all the way and there were 4 boxes in the hallway.. erika's clothes! He told us she's moving out this week! I tried to calmly say "oh hermano.. lo siento.." but then i couldn't hold it in and i gave him a high five and said "it's about time!" Hermana Rodriguez laughed, but it's true! We set him with a date for November 2nd. We'll make it happen. 

   Akemy, one of our other investigators, she's incredible. She's 26, not married to her "husband" and has a 6 year old named Ambar. We were watching the video "The Testaments" with her the other day. She comes from a family that never taught her anything about God or Jesus Christ, so we teach the lessons very simply. I think those lessons are my favorite though. This Gospel is simple. And it's TRUE. We were watching the video, and in it, one of the nephites were crying while Ammon was testifying. Akemy asked us why the girl in the video was crying and we told her "because she knows its true. She can feel it." She shrugged her shoulders and kept watching. As the movie ends, Christ appears to the Nephites and begins working miracles among the people. I looked over and tears were running down Akemy's face. The Spirit was testifying to her that it was true. To be able to witness that strengthened my testimony incredibly. 

   So I have my new companion! Her name is Hermana Done and she's from Logan. She's a super cute girl and already speaks quite a bit of spanish. It'll be a good transfer.
   I titled this email growing pains because that's how I have felt this week. I know that "ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" but it's a lot easier said than done. I have felt as though Satan is pushing my buttons this week. With training a new companion, there's a lot of responsibility. Most of which I bring upon myself, but I want to make this experience the best I can for my new companion. I want to teach her how to love the people, how to come closer to Christ, how to best study the language. But then I realize that I myself am still trying to learn those things. I remember when Julianne had growing pains, mom would always give her tylenol. I'm not sure if she remembers the pains, but now she's taller than both Marielle and I. It's exactly the same with the mission, gospel, life, etc. However hard our times may be, with the Lord, we are only going to continue to grow and progress. But it doesn't have to be painful. We have the perfect medicine. The Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have felt closer to my Savior these past few days than ever before on my mission. I know I am being stretched and shaped into the missionary and person that my Heavenly Father wants me to be, and that through the Atonement, I can find peace, and accept this time of trial and affliction. "How can we expect it to be easy for us, when it was never, ever, easy for Him?" -Elder Holland. 

   I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It is the only true church on the earth today. I know that Christ lives. His atonement is real. It is there for each one of us. I love this gospel. I am so thankful for you all and our eternal family. I pray for you daily :) Have a great week! I love you! Cuidese!!

Con Amor,

  Hermana Egbert

All My Children - haha mom's favorite soap opera.. 

Hermana Rodriguez, Hermana Salisbury, Hermana Lund (MTC comp), me and Hermana Done after transfer meeting

our Sister Training Leaders Hermana Christensen and Hermana King

October 14th, 2013

Familia!
     Wow.. a great week again in Austin. It's finally cooled off and has been raining the past 2 days straight. It's nice to have a little change.
     Speaking of change, we received transfer calls last night from President Slaughter. He told us that Hermana Rodriguez is being transferred and I will be receiving a new missionary, and training. I am thankful for the opportunity to train again and pray that I will be able to do all that the Lord wants me to. I am a little nervous for the fact that Riverside, (my area) is puro espanol, but I know that the Lord will help me and my new companion. I'm sad to see Hermana Rodriguez go, but I have learned so much from working with her and I know that she needs to go help someone else with their Spanish now :)
     Saturday, we had a baptism in the ward, unfortunately it wasn't Jose. Erica will be moving out this week so we're looking towards the 26th of october now. However, the family that was baptized Saturday is incredible. The baptismal service was so sweet and the spirit was so strong. It's a single mom and her two kids. She's been coming to church for 2 years and felt that now was the time to be baptized. What a testimony to me that the Lord really does things in His own time. I thought of Dylan and her baptism as the little boy sang "Cuando me bautice".. the spirit filled the room. I am so thankful for baptism and the importance of our covenants. 
     We had an incredible week with lots of great lessons.. However there's one that I really want to share...
     La Familia Molina is the family with three girls and the dad is out of work.. Luis, Rosie (15), Lizzy (13), Jessica (8). Remember them? We got permission to go to Rosie's volleyball game Friday night. She was so happy we were there! Luis doesn't have a car so he hardly ever gets to go to her games. We were happy to be able to support her. We went over for a lesson on Saturday and only Rosie and Jessica were there. When we walked in, Jessica said "I want to be baptized!" Sunday morning I called to remind them of church and all of them were sleeping, but Jessica, the 8 year old answered the phone and said "sisters! i'm ready for church! when are you picking me up?" Wow. We arranged for a family in our ward to give her a ride. Unfortunately Luis, Rosie and Lizzy didn't come to church, but the fact that the youngest of them all is ready and wants to be baptized? What a great example to the rest of the family.. Our lesson fell through last night with a new investigator, so we called the Molina's and asked if we could come over. Rosie said her sisters (she has 2 older sisters that dont live with them) were at the house and it probably wasn't a good time.. so i said "Okay great we'll be there in 10 minutes!" We went by with the intention of sharing a scripture and setting up a return appointment. As we walked in, we met Ashley and Sandy. The two older daughters. We invited them to join us. As the lesson went on.. Ashley and Sandy were asking incredible questions! The spirit was so strong. Before we knew it, 45 minutes had passed and we were able to close with a kneeling prayer. Luis was so happy to see all 5 of his daughters, kneeling in prayer together as a family. 
     I love this work. I know it is true. God has a plan for each one of us. I pray that we can all be instruments in His hands and help assist Him in His work. I know this church is true and that through the Priesthood power we can live with our family for eternity. I love you all and am so grateful for your examples and prayers. Tengan una buena semana!

Con amor,
Hermana Egbert

Sister Legge and I after Lunch with the Zone

Hermana Osorio - mi abuela de la mision. she made us dinner this week.. estuvo bien rica la comida!

we have been working with a less active family.. La familia Nunez. They have two kids who haven't been baptized (our investigators) These two little girls live with them. We stopped by for a lesson and they asked us to help with their art activity :) seashells from Galveston beach..

A funny story...
we had two sessions of conference on sunday. in between, the bishop brought us sandwiches and chips and apples, etc. so i'm like great, i feel healthy. so after conference we had a dinner planned with some members that cook sooo good! always mexican food and its delicious. that was at 5. but beforehand , a less active called and said they wanted to feed us and they had already cooked the food! we had an appointment at 7 so we're like... um 6? okay back to back dinners. i didn't eat too much at the Martinez's (the first house) but i was full. We went to the Meza's.. she goes "do you like seafood?"  oh crap..  i sat down at the table and all i could see was shrimp and oil blobs floating on the top of the soup. i took one sip.. not too bad. but still. then i started mixing my spoon around.... she started telling us what was in it.. camarrones (shrimp).. not too bad....  WHALE.. okay. don't want to eat anymore..  just then, i picked something up with my spoon... OCTOPUS!!!!!!!!!!! whaaaaat?    At that point i was gagging. i feel like a brat telling this story but it was hilarious hahaha and i literally was DYING.. i took out the baby octopus and put it in a napkin. I somehow managed to eat everything else. we stopped asking what was in the soup hahah hermana rodriguez was dying laughing cause only I had the octopus.. anyway.. i felt so gross. they offered us ice cream after and even though i was STUFFED, i said yes. i had to get the taste out of my mouth!

October 7th, 2013

Mi familia :)

     Como Estan?  Before I forget, transfer calls are Sunday, so i'll let ya'll know Monday if i'm being transferred, etc. Also, Jose has a baptismal date for Saturday! Keep your fingers crossed that Erika can move out in time :/
   I hope you each were able to watch Conference this past weekend.. Crazy to think that a year ago, the announcement was made, and here i am! I am so grateful for inspired leaders and our prophet that lead the Church today.
   Hemos tenido una buena semana con muchas experiences que voy a recordar todo mi vida. La conferencia, claro, fue uno de los experiencias.. 

     We started the week not knowing if we were going to watch conference in English or Spanish. But because of our investigators, and Hermana Rodriguez, we decided to go to our ward building. They were only broadcasting it in Spanish. I'll admit, at first i was super bummed. I was looking forward to hearing our prophet's voice, and President Uchtdorf's accent, but I was amazed at the spirit that was there throughout all 4 sessions of conference. It was a huge testimony builder to me that this Gospel is true. No matter who you are, where you live, or what language you speak, the Spirit will testify to you of the truthfulness of this Gospel. After Saturday's session, we had 3 great lessons with investigators. What a way to end a great day. 

    Sunday morning, we again attended conference. WOW. I was filled with joy and comfort as i saw all the familiar faces in the Choir and as i listened to the music they were singing. Although I wasn't able to understand 100% of what was said, I was filled with the spirit and the love of our beloved Prophet and Apostles.
    Each conference, we usually see a theme or a topic that the majority of speakers seem to talk about.. but this conference, i felt as though they were talking to each one of us, strengthening our faith and the way we live. The Principles of the Gospel. Keeping the commandments, paying tithing, attending church every week, staying for all 3 hours, all these things that we need to do, as members of this church. I know that missionary work is impossible without the members. I was so thankful for the words and advice given to both members, and missionaries, on how to work together to find the lost sheep. Just like Presidente Thomas S. monson dijo: "Ahora es el momento." This work is the most important work on the face of the earth. Each one of us knows someone who needs this Gospel. I invite you all to pray, ask our Father in Heaven for help, then go and do! Go share the Gospel. If I can do it, you can do it. Mom knows I was NEVER the kind of person to talk to a stranger, I didn't even want to call Olive Garden to set a reservation for the family.. :) But now, I find running across the street to talk to someone. The message we have to share blesses, and saves lives. By sharing the Gospel, we are opening the door for someone to live with their family forever. To come to know their Savior, Jesus Christ.I can't think of a better message to share!

   I pray that we can all try a little harder, be a little better, and share the Gospel. I know this church is true. I know the atonement is real. I am so grateful for the Priesthood. I know it truly is the power given to men to act in God's name and perform ordinances. Dylan, you are making an amazing decision to be baptized this week. I love you and am grateful for your desire to follow Jesus Christ. I hope that all of you can remember your baptism day as you watch Dylan enter the waters of baptism as she makes the special covenant with our father in heaven. 

   May we all become like little children, and just like Dylan, make the decision to renew our covenants EVERY week as we attend church. And that we may strive to live worthily of His Spirit always. "Ahora es el momento"

   Les quiero todos!!! Tengan una buena semana :)

Con amor,

Hermana Egbert

Hermana Gonzalez y yo.. ella es como mi mama de la mision

ernesto y mormon (the duck)

hna rodriguez y yo al rancho de Abacuc

Mormon- "i'm a mormon.. yes i am.. " haha remember that song?

it's been awhile since i've had to put jeans on.. haha 

driving out to Abacuc's ranch.. the texas sky

he made us homemade tortillas.. muy rica!

watermelon patch

Ambar and her HLJ ring i gave her.. she LOVED it! we're teaching her parents :)

September 30th, 2013

Familia! Les quiero a todos..

    I hope mom had a great birthday.. Dylan and Julianne Happy birthday this coming weekend!! I got the picture of the flowers mom did, as well as the cardboard Elder Peterson at the wedding :) thank you!

    Lots of you have been asking about our investigators.. so here's an update:

 Cesar and Loli (and their 2 kids) - we had a pass along lesson with the missionaries that will continue teaching them from now on. It went really well. We took lots of pictures and held back the tears as we said goodbye. I know that one day I will be able to see them go through the temple. It's just in the Lord's own timing.

  Pati and Roman (and their 4 kids) - we said goodbye to them and bore testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. It was a quick lesson because the kids had to go to bed, but they put our picture up on their wall next to their family picture. We're their "hermanas" 

   Abacuc- Still progressing, he just has to wait for his divorce to be finalized before he gets baptized. He wants a fresh start and doesn't want to get baptized during all of the stress. He's still his grumpy old self, but he loves the gospel and knows its true. 

   Jose - He has a new baptismal date for October 12th. Erika still has all her things at their apartment and sleeps there 2 nights a week. They stay in different rooms, but in order for him to be baptized, she has to move out completely. We're crossing our fingers that she moves before the 12th!

  Ernesto- he's still battling his addiction to alcohol. He's come a long way, but still has a long path ahead of him. I know he can do it if he will rely on the Lord.

  Luis (and his three daughters, rosie 15, lizzy 13, and jessica 8) - he's the single dad and has a job that only has him working one day a week. this family is incredible and truly have changed so much! you can see the change in each of them. They have a baptismal date for november 2nd!

 
   This week was the primary program.. all the cute kids singing in espanol at the top of their lungs.. i loved it. The spirit was so strong. It's amazing, the power, that can come from little children who love their Savior.
   

    This Saturday, we went to the Relief Society Broadcast. I pray that each of you had the opportunity to go, if not, watch it. It's incredible. I was overcome with the spirit during the entire meeting. I don't remember the last time I was able to feel the spirit that profoundly. As the sister missionaries sang in the choir, i first thought of mom- crying with her tissues, but more importantly, i was overcome with the love of my Father in Heaven, knowing that I am in the right place. That i'm doing His work and helping Him in His purpose. "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I loved each one of the talks. When Sister Burton told the story of the 5 sheep.. when she closed with saying "Come on".. WOW. I encourage all of you to watch it. I was again filled with joy and felt may of my prayers answered as I listened to the words of our beloved prophet. He truly is called of God. His words are so true. We, as children of God, "are never alone. God's love is always there. We'll be able to look back and see His hand every step of the way." I know that we can all help one another, and better honor our covenants. I know the power and love we can feel each week as we partake of the sacrament. What a great blessing it is to have this Gospel today.
    I pray that we all can prepare ourselves for conference. That we can listen with open hearts and minds, and then act on the revelation we receive. I love this Gospel! Go share it :)

Con Amor,

  Hermana Egbert

predicando el evangelio 

mis ninos favoritos.. julian y karen

feeding some chickens

julian y karen.. ah these kids have my heart

the spiderrrr ugh

cesar y lolis- when we told them we cant come back anymore :( 

saying goodbye to Pati y Roman's kids.. ahh another heartbreaker.

La Hermana Poulsen.. i love her!

we had exchanges with sister hill our STL - she's an incredible missionary (we may or may not have lived next door to each other at king henry all last year) haha

Mom-"look at all this LUSH" haha that's what it is here.. lush