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 :)