June 16th, 2014

Familia :)

  Another week has flown by. We get transfer calls on Sunday and I

will find out where i'll be serving my last transfer. It's crazy to

say that. I can't express my gratitude to my Savior for letting me

serve a mission. It is the most amazing experience. I love the people

here. The investigators, the ward members, my companions, all have a

special place in my heart.

  President Slaughter gave a training this week at a Specialized

Training Meeting titled "Faith in Finding." In it, he talked about how

we can develop the faith to find those who the lord is preparing to

receive the gospel. In Preach My Gospel, that is the most repeated

promise throughout the book. "Have faith that the Lord is preparing

people for you to teach." Hermana Clark and I have seen this promise

fulfilled as we have prayed to increase our faith, and be lead to

those who will receive us. The promise is no different for you. The

Lord is preparing people to receive this Gospel. I pray that we can

all look for those who are searching for the truth. We may be the

doorway for them to enter into the Gospel. President Slaughter also

talked about having "unshaken faith." When Enos says in verse 11 of

chapter 1.. "my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord" we can see

that the word "unshaken" is past tense. Which means it's been tried,

tested and proved. He asked us all the question "where is your faith?"

Is it to the point where your faith is Unshaken in Jesus Christ? Has

your faith been tried? Tested? Have you proved to be faithful before

the Lord? As we continue, each day, on the path that leads us to

eternal life, we must seek to strengthen our faith in our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ. Just like we teach our investigators.. it's not

enough to be baptized and read your scriptures once a week. It is no

difference for those of us who have made covenants in the temple. We

must stretch ourselves and strengthen our faith. Sacrifice strengthens

faith. It is the first principle of the gospel. Let us strive to

become unshaken in our faith!

  Rocio and Genesis are getting baptized on Saturday! They are so

prepared and so excited! It has been such a blessing being able to

teach them. They have such strong testimonies of the Savior. I love

them :)

  I was reading in Mosiah 4 and i love the following in verse 2. When

we truly realize that we are "less than the dust of the earth" we

realize we can do NOTHING without our Savior and His atonement. "Apply

the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive a remission of our

sins, and our hearts may be purified; and believe in Jesus Christ, the

Son of God."

  Jesus Christ is our Savior. His atonement allows us to improve, to

become more like Him. This Church is true. There is no doubt in my

mind. Joseph Smith was a prophet. He restored this gospel to the earth

in our day.

  Have a great week!! I love y'all!!

Con much amor,
Hermana Egbert

Eating paletas with Los Sanchez and Hermana Espinoza :)

June 9th, 2014

Familia!!
   Never before have I felt the joy and power of the gospel as I have this week.. I pray that as you read this, you will let the Spirit touch your heart, so that you too might be able to taste of the joy that I have experienced recently. 
   We taught Rocio and Genesis a few times this week. Each lesson we have gets better and better. We talked about the Sabbath day and the importance of keeping it holy. After reading a few scriptures, she sat there quietly. She told us she is going to close her Salon on Sundays. She said "I have the faith that God will bless me. I need to keep the Sabbath day holy. Just be patient with me, i have to tell my 4 employees that they won't have work on Sundays." I sat there in awe. Rocio is amazing! On Thursday, Hermana Favila came with us and we read the baptismal questions to Rocio and Genesis. Wow. Another spiritual moment when Rocio testified of the blessings we receive from living the Word of Wisdom. Hermana Favila served a mission and mentioned to Rocio how prepared she is. How willing she is to act upon the things we teach. On the way home, Hermana Favila told us in the car.. "Hermanas, she's going to be a Relief Society president one day. She is the most prepared investigator I have ever seen." It's such a humbling experience to be able to take part of the process of conversion. To see the changes the gospel makes in people who truly come unto Christ.
   Tuesday and Wednesday we were on exchanges and weren't able to work in our area, so Thursday was a busy day. We were supposed to meet with Erika and Karen in the morning for a lesson, but Karen canceled and said her life isn't in a good place right now and she would call us later. She's Erika's friend who we have taught 3 times. We were saddened, but knew that the Lord would provide a way for her to make it through. As we were at dinner that night, Karen called us. She told us "Hermanas.. can we meet tonight? I want you to teach my kids. Please?" Of course! We met her at the church before piano class. As we started talking about the restoration with her 3 kids, Karen said "Hermanas.. I want to be baptized." She said she had read about receiving the Holy Ghost and wants to be baptized. Then her 3 kids all said "We want to be baptized too. Our mom taught us about it." We set them for the 5th of July.  Karen called us this morning and asked if our Bishop could marry she and her boyfriend. She then told us her boyfriend-who, before, was super against our beliefs-wants to take the lessons! They're getting married this Saturday :)
   Friday we went to MLC. AHH! It was amazing. We get to listen and learn from President Slaughter and the assistants. It was fantastic. I have so much respect for President Slaughter. He is called of God. We discussed the Doctrine and Covenants and the power in conversion. Especially through the Holy Ghost. We can talk about all the things I've learned at MLC when I get back. I can't fit it all in one e-mail :)
   Saturday we had a long, rough morning. Lots of dropped appointments, knocked doors, and mosquito bites in the humidity and heat. We taught a few lessons then went to Stake Conference. It was the greatest thing. They talked about Hastening the Work of Salvation. They provided Preach My Gospel's for each person to keep. I thought it couldn't get any better..     Sunday came around and Rocio and Genesis came to Stake Conference! They had headphones on for translation. The meeting started out great, with the temple president and his wife speaking. They gave fantastic talks! Rocio was emotional and was smiling as they talked about eternal families. Sister Slaughter got up and powerfully testified of the Gathering of Israel. She is amazing. Now this is the part that I pray you can really feel in your heart.. President stood up. He started with "For those of you who are not members of our faith.." The Spirit hit me so hard. He continued by saying "for those of you who are looking for a people who don't just talk of Christ, but rejoice in Christ, you have found us-come join us. If you're looking for a people who have the fullness of the everlasting gospel, you have found us-come join us. If you are looking for a people who believe that the heavens are opened and that God speaks to His prophets, you have found us-come join us. If you are looking for a people who still believe in the ministering of angels, you have found us-come join us. If you are looking for a people who still honors the eternal nature of families, you have found us-come join us. If you are looking for a people who honor the divine nature of women, you have found us-come join us. If you are looking for a people who belong to Christ's true church, you have found us. Come, Join us." 
   There wasn't a dry eye in the building. The Spirit testifies of truth. I felt it, and I will never forget that moment. The meeting ended with talks from our Stake Presidency. They are fantastic. I felt a new sense of commitment in the members as we left Stake Conference. 
   I wish I could tell you everything that happened.. This e-mail is already long enough, but I want y'all to know that I know this Church is true. It IS Christ's Church here on the earth today. We have a living prophet. The Book of Mormon is true. The Priesthood has been restored through a prophet in this last dispensation. I am ever so grateful for Joseph Smith. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He lives. Let us find joy in the Gospel. 
   I love you and hope y'all have a great week :)

Con mucho amor,
   Hermana Egbert

p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday Dad!!! love you!


Karen and her kids (Marissa -12, Haiti - 10, Kevin - 8)

MLC with Sister King :) 

June 2nd, 2014

Familia!
   I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know He is our Savior. We are members of HIS church that is on the earth today. What a blessing it is to have that knowledge!
  We had a great week. We taught lots of lessons, met tons of new people, and found new investigators. Our investigators are doing well, unfortunately they're all to the point where they have to take the next step in order to be baptized. We have a few investigators who aren't married, so until they do that, we can't do anything else. We continue to teach and invite them to keep commitments, but ultimately it's just a matter of time. Keep them in your prayers :)
   Rocio has been really busy with work but we were able to meet with her this week. As we asked her what she had read since the last lesson we had, she looked really sad and said "I'm sorry.. I only got to 1 Nephi 17" What?! We were so excited!! She asked us where we got our scriptures because she wants gold pages like us :) She's going to order her own set so she can continue to study. She told us her copy is already highlighted so much it's hard to read her notes in the margins, so she needs a new one. She is amazing. We have a lesson with her tonight and we hope to set both she and her daughter with a baptismal date.
   During piano lessons
   We had an incredible Zone Training Meeting this week. President Slaughter explained the organization of the church. Who holds the keys, what auxiliaries have stewardship over others, how we should use the line of authority in the church, basic church conduct. Our leaders are so inspired and help us to grow individually as well as a mission. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve in the Texas San Antonio Mission. I know that it is where I need to be. 
   We were tracting in a neighborhood trying to see if many Spanish speakers lived there. One baptist man answered the door. He came outside and we started to teach him. Half way through the lesson, he said.. "What church are y'all from?" We said "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" he said "I know.. but what kind? ya know.. like we got the baptists.. the methodists.. the catholics" I said "We're mormons" Immediately his arms flew up above his head and he said "WOW!!! This is weird.." He started to pace back and forth.. He put his arm up on the door frame and stared at the ground. I looked at Hermana Clark-so confused. haha "Why is that weird?" I asked him. And he said "I dont know. I've just never seen mormon girls preaching. Y'all have got power." We left him with a pamphlet and told the english elders to go by and visit him. Haha Hermana Clark is the greatest. I love her and we have so much fun together. 
   All of our lessons fell through on Saturday. It was 12:00 and we had tried to think of everything we could. It was hot. We were sweating.  It was humid. And we still had the whole day ahead of us. We knocked a street that we had never been on before. By 2:00 we had taught 5 lessons and had return appointments with 3 people! It was a definite test of our faith. After a successful afternoon, I thought for a minute.. who does that? Who goes out in the heat of the afternoon in Texas, knocking doors, inviting people to repent and come unto Christ? WE DO! And there's no greater joy that I have experienced, than by being a missionary. I am proud to be a representative of the Savior. What an honor it is to wear the Lord's name. I love this Gospel. It's true!

I love y'all!! Have a great week!

Con Amor,
  Hermana Egbert

spanish study outside :) trying to get rid of our tan lines on our feet!

carlitos, kiarra, genesis, yasmin :) 

you HAVE to meet this family. AHH i love them. the Banda's

May 26th, 2014

Hola familia! Happy Memorial Day!
   We had a fantastic week. We have been able to teach a lot of first lessons recently and have invited many to enter into the waters of baptism. As a mission, we have really emphasized using the pamphlets in lessons. I'm not sure if y'all have seen them, but they're great! It helps us to teach simply and powerfully. We received training from the Mission Department on how to use them most effectively. With lots of practice, we can now teach the Restoration in less than 7 minutes. We don't always teach it that way, but it's a great way to be able to see if people are prepared and it helps us to do so a lot quicker.
  Erika is the greatest. I feel like I talk about her and the Banda's every week, but they all are so amazing! Erika called us Tuesday morning and asked if we would be willing to teach her friend and her sister. They were on their way to her house. We hurried to her house and were able to have an incredible lesson with them. We returned on Thursday and Karen, Erika's friend, had read all of Mosiah 13 and was telling us how much she loved the Book of Mormon already :) You could SEE the change in her. It was amazing.
   We have been able to spend a few minutes with different members throughout the week, teaching them how to use the pamphlets. They love being able to share the gospel and many of their friends have questions. One member told us she wanted to keep a stack in her car so she could share them with other people. She said "it's so much easier this way!" We have seen so much success with it :) y'all should ask the missionaries to give you a pamphlet that you can share with someone.
   Rocio and Genesis will be baptized in the coming weeks and the rest of our investigators are steadily progressing. They're doing great! It's just a matter of setting them with a baptismal date.
    As I thought about what I wanted to share with y'all today, the Book of Mormon kept coming to mind. Before my mission, I read it. I knew it was true. But each day, my testimony grows. Each time I study the verses and the words on each page, my mind is opened to a whole new understanding. As we start our studies with prayer, asking our Father in Heaven to help us understand what we are going to read, we will be able to understand on a much deeper level. Our knowledge will grow and our hearts will burn as we accept the words of the prophets. I am grateful for Joseph Smith; who gave his life for this Book. I pray that we will read it, study it, and ask God if the Book is true. As we abide by the precepts given therein, we will gain "peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." I love the words of Oliver Cowdery..

"These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon."
   The Book of Mormon is true!! Es la clave de nuestra religion. It is evidence that God's kingdom is here on the earth today. I pray that we will study it, and live accordingly. This is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We have the Priesthood authority on the earth today. I pray for y'all everyday. Have a great week!!!  Love you!!!

Con Amor,
Hermana Egbert

Hermano Sanchez and Hermana Castor- wedding reception

Hermana Clark and me :)

May 19th, 2014

Familia! 
    I am so happy today :) I don't think there's just one reason for it either. Things have been going really well! We had a crazy busy week.. but it was full of miracles. 
   On Wednesday, Hermana Lund and I were knocking in an apartment complex and found a member who hadn't been to church in 10 years. He gave us his information and he wants to come back to church! About 5 minutes later, we taught a man who has family that are all members. He let us teach him and accepted a baptismal date for June 7th. We gave his information to the English elders and they will continue teaching him. We ate with the Arroyo family and had an amazing lesson about the Restoration afterwards. Their 12 year old son asked us if we could help him share the same lesson with his friends. We have a FHE planned for next week. After dinner we headed to the Banda's. I love them :) Hermana Lund and I had prepared a lesson from Moroni 7. As we sat down we asked where they were reading lately in their studies.. Hermana Banda thumbed through the pages and said.. Moroni 7. The spirit immediately filled the room, and we had a powerful lesson as they sat and taught us about charity.. the pure love of Christ. I was overwhelmed as I sat and watched them. They were baptized in November and have the strongest testimonies. It's impossible to explain the joy that comes from witnessing the change that the Gospel brings to peoples' lives. 
   Hermana Clark is my new companion! She's from Georgia and has been out almost a year. She plays basketball and lacrosse and we already have way too much fun together. She is an amazing missionary and I am excited to learn from her. 
   Friday, we had the privilege of going to President Slaughter's home. He invited about 15 missionaries out of the entire mission to come have a meeting with him. Our mission will change a ton with the June transfer and the August transfer. We have over 14 sisters going home when I go home in August. President's goal is to "spread the music".. or in other words, he has asked that the older missionaries share insights and everything they know with the younger missionaries. So that the transition will be smooth as we all finish our service. A lot of us are with younger companions now to be able to share the things we have learned over the space of the next transfer. It was amazing to be able to sit in the Slaughter's home and talk with President for the afternoon. I have learned so much from him and I am thankful for the service he renders here in the TSAM. He is truly called of God. 
   On the way home, it hit me pretty hard, the reality of the mission. Mainly how soon I will be coming home. My mission has forever changed me. I have become someone better. I still have a long way to go, and for that, I am thankful for the enabling power of the Atonement. I have never felt so close to my Savior as I have lost myself in His service.
   I truly love this gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. It's true! The heavens are open and we have a Prophet on the earth today. I'm thankful for all that you do and for the support y'all give me. Think about how blessed we are to be members of Jesus Christ's true church.. it's amazing! 
Have a great week!! I love y'all!! 
   Con mucho amor,
        Hermana Egbert

The Banda's (Hermano Banda was in a meeting.. he's the sunday school president!)

Hermana Aguilera and I preparing the nopales :) yum

We had a FHE with the Martinez and a few other families in the ward :)