Familia,
We are constantly seeing miracles. Whether great or small, they are all around us.
We did two exchanges this week. One with a companionship of sisters up north, and one with Sister King! We had Zone Conference Thursday and received trainings from President Slaughter and the Assistants. It was incredible. President Slaughter speaks with so much power and confidence. He knows the doctrine and magnifies his calling. I feel so blessed to be able to serve with him in the TSAM. We had interviews afterward with President Slaughter as well. I am so thankful for his example and testimony that he shares with each one of us.
We found out this week that Yoanna and her husband aren't legally married. So her baptism will be pushed back to a later date in March. She is so sweet and loves the Book of Mormon! Keep her in your prayers.
On Friday, we had a lesson with Jose. He is so excited for his baptism on the 22nd! Erika and her kids were there as well. We have taught Carlitos (Erika's son) since we found Erika. But Erika's husband has never given permission for Carlitos to be baptized. As we talked with Jose about baptism and the decision he is making, Carlitos interrupted "I want to be baptized too!" We tried to avoid it because his dad still hasn't given permission. He repeated the same sentence again and said "Hermanas, I want to be baptized now." To hear a ten year old say that so boldly.. wow. I looked at Erika, she was about to cry. She said "Surprise!! My husband gave Carlitos permission to be baptized!" We all were completely stunned. But now Carlitos and Jose are both getting baptized this Saturday!
Yesterday we watched a CES fireside online from Elder Tad R. Callister. He talked about the blueprint of Jesus Christ's church. It was amazing. I invite you all to watch it as well.
I have grown so much. I have felt the power of the Atonement. I have seen the hope and light that this gospel brings to those who "knew not where to find it." This gospel is the only thing that matters. I am so thankful I chose to serve a mission. I can't imagine what it would've been like, had I not served. I am eternally grateful for each one of you and the things you have taught me. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives. Let us look for the little miracles in our lives each day. And in turn, thank our Heavenly Father for them.
I talked with a new sister in the mission this week. She told me she wants to "change" and go home "different." I shifted the perspective a little by saying "I want to become." We can change, and the next day, go right back to who we were.. But when we become what our Heavenly Father wants us to become, that is when we reach our true potential. I pray that I will continue to become. And will continue to do so the rest of my life.
I love and miss you all!! Have a great week.
Con carino,
Hermana Egbert
Alma Martinez- she is amazing!!
Erika, Clara, all their kids! Jose has glasses and Carlitos has the wig on :)
the Ruiz's
Ashley Banda and I
hermano sanchez and i! he made me wear his coat cause it was freezing outside. he's our ward mission leader :)
Familia!!
It feels like forever since I last emailed you, yet at the sametime, it feels like yesterday! Time is a weird thing on the mission..Some days last forever and others fly by before you can even blink.This week was crazy.. We did exchanges Tuesday with a companionship in South Austin. Wednesday we had several lessons with our investigators here inLake Austin. We set Yoanna with a baptismal date for March 22nd! Thursday we did exchanges with the sisters serving in the singlesward. I started to feel a little sick half way through the day, buttried to ignore it. We had a lesson at the church that night andPresident Slaughter just happened to be there. He came and joined usin the lesson. The spirit was so strong!! It was a really neatexperience to be able to teach with our mission president alongsideus. As soon as Sister Lund and I got home that night, the flu hit mefull swing. I slept in the bathroom all night. Friday morning at 5:30 we woke up and headed to San Antonio forMLC. It was incredible. I love listening to President Slaughter teachthe gospel. His insights and trainings are so powerful! We talkedabout the Book of Mormon, the First Vision and how Mormon abriged theBook of Mormon. My eyes were opened to so many new things! I know theBook is true. Saturday morning we hurried to the church to start filling thefont. Gisele was baptized as well as 2 investigators that the elderswere teaching. It was a wonderful service and Gigi was so happy! :)Afterwards, we stopped by a part members home. Clara is Erika'ssister. (Erika was baptized in January) Long story short, Clara's son,Jose, isn't a member. He's 13. We stopped by to see Clara and sheasked us if we could teach Jose the lessons.. he wants to be baptized.Of course! It was an answer to many prayers. We have been working withthis family for months. Jose has a baptismal date for the 22nd alongwith Yoanna. Sunday morning it was pouring rain. We had a great service atchurch. Our bishop is a great leader and does so much for us. I loveour ward. The members are incredible! We are starting piano lessonsthis week with them and they seem to be really excited! I know that this church is true. This work is so necessary. Icannot express how grateful I am to be a part of it. Running withpatience.. That's how I feel on my mission. There's so much to do, yetnot enough time. We must submit to the will of the Lord. We must trustHim and His timing. I love this work. I never want to leave. I knowthat as we put our trust in the Lord and take His yoke upon us, Hewill lead us, guide us, and walk beside us every step of the way. Maywe all turn to Him and run with patience this race that is set beforeus. I love and miss y'all more than you know!! Que Dios bendiga!!!Have a great week :)Con Amor, Hermana Egbert
Gisele's baptism :)
MLC in San Antonio!
sister upham and i.. the uphams go home this transfer :(
Familia!!
I can't believe it's March! I love my mission. It just keeps getting better. Hermana Lund and I get along great. We have seen many miracles here in Austin.
Last week at church, a member showed up with his non-member wife. They just recently moved here and so we set up an appointment with them. We went by Tuesday and luckily we saw Hermano driving, otherwise we never would've found the house. We followed him down an old dirt road to a tiny trailer. It couldn't have been bigger than our bedroom. He let us in and we were greeted by Yoanna and their 5 month old daughter. As we sat there teaching, in their humble home, I was overwhelmed with the Spirit. It was so strong. We invited Yoanna to be baptized and she said yes! She said the most humble closing prayer and prayed to Heavenly Father that we would continue coming by so that she can be baptized this month. We went by again and taught her on Thursday. She is so sweet and so prepared!
We have a busy week this week with 2 exchanges as well as MLC, and then Gisele's baptism will be Saturday. :) We had to move it because the font was already reserved. We have incredible investigators as well, who are progressing really well and taking the necessary steps towards baptism.
Last week we finished our mission study of the Book of Mormon. The book is true!! I love it. We started today, our study of The Father and The Son. I think I scared Hermana Lund a little with how excited I was during companionship study this morning. I love this gospel.. The scriptures are like a never ending source of knowledge. We can read them over and over again and still learn more. I have never been so grateful for the Book of Mormon, for the Plan of Salvation, the Atonement, or our Savior Jesus Christ.
I am so thankful for each one of you. Thank you for your examples, for your testimony and for living the gospel. There simply is no other way to happiness and eternal life, than through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a great week!!! Les quiero mucho!!
P.S. Happy Birthday tomorrow BO!!! :)
Con Amor,
Hermana Egbert
Welcome to Austin..
Gisele and I after church :)
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