April 21st, 2014

Familia :)
   Happy Easter yesterday! I hope you all were able to feel of our Savior's love and reflect on His life and resurrection.
  We had a great day at church.. We sang "Where Can I Turn for Peace." Afterwards, Erika spoke! She was so nervous beforehand.. but we had her review it with us the night before and she did a beautiful job! Hermana Castor sat behind us at church and kept tapping my shoulder.. i looked back and she had an engagement ring on her finger! She and Hermano Sanchez are getting married! :) I am so happy for them! (I've talked about them before.. but she is our YW President and he is our Ward Mission Leader) 
   I mentioned last week how Erika asked us to teach her family. Last Monday, we had a lesson with Olga. Erika's brother, Pablo is a member. He hasn't been to church in almost 10 years. His girlfriend, Olga wants to be baptized. We had an incredible lesson with Pablo, Olga, and Rosa. (Erika's mom) We talked about Jesus Christs life and ministry, but once we mentioned how Joseph Smith was searching for the truth, Olga lit up. She said "That's how i feel!" We talked about the restoration and she agreed with everything that was said. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted! As we were about to leave, she asked about the temple. We told her a little bit about it, I showed her a pass-along card of the Salt Lake Temple and she couldn't take her eyes off of it! We then invited them both to set a goal to be sealed in the temple a year from now. They accepted! It was amazing. The only issue is getting her a job where she doesn't have to work Sundays. She hasn't been able to come to church yet, but still wants to be baptized. She has a 9 year old daughter as well who wants to be baptized too :) Keep them in your prayers.
   Wednesday was incredible! We had Zone Conference with President Slaughter.. He is a man that is called of God. These past few weeks he has asked us to prepare ourselves for this conference so that we might receive insight and guidance from the spirit. I did what he asked, and can testify first-hand, the power of the Holy Ghost that was present in the meeting. He started the conference by talking about revelation. With participation and questions from those of us in the conference, he let the Spirit guide. It was the coolest experience. We all sat there and received what we needed individually. We talked about all different topics, doctrine and teaching skills. I had all my questions answered. I am so grateful for a mission president who is in tune with the Spirit and who leads and guides us. He doesn't just teach us how to be missionaries, he teaches us how to understand who we are. "Today and Always" In his first conference with us, almost a year ago, he gave us these 7 expectations:

1. Know who you are, your inherent purpose, and act accordingly–today and always.

2. Learn to discern the Spirit and submit to its promptings–today and always.

3. Attain an unshaken and unwavering testimony of the Restoration–today and always.

4. Possess a sound understanding of the gospel and teach with power and authority–today and always.

5. Understand the doctrine of the gathering and the principles of finding the elect–today and always.

6. Learn and apply the principles of leadership–today and always.

7. Have an internal and constant desire and willingness to improve yourself–today and always.

You, too, can live to achieve the expectations!
   I am so grateful for my mission. I say it every week, and i pray that you can feel the power of me saying that, grow each week. I know that this is God's kingdom on the earth today. I know Joseph Smith restored the Priesthood keys and the Gospel in its fulness to the earth in our day. I know who I am. The mission has changed me. I have become something better. And i'm not turning back.   I pray that we all can know for ourselves, and then share with others, the truthfulness of this Gospel! :)

I love y'all!! Have an amazing week!

Con Amor,
   Hermana Egbert


 Hermana Velez from Eagle Pass was visiting her sister in Austin and came to church yesterday! :)

Melissa Banda :) one of my favorite families here