Hermana Egbert in Osorno Chile

This was a crazy week! It went by so fast because we had so much to do. 

So remember our investigator Matias? We were told that he was part of the Elders area. Well there had been a change so He is actually part of ours! So we have still been teaching him. He had been reading The book of mormon a lot and now is in 3 nephi. His testimony has grown a lot in the past 3 weeks. So he has had every lesson and has recieved a personal about the Book Of Mormon. He just could not be baptized because his mom didnt want him to be baptized until he was 18 ( in 4 years) So we have just been patient and praying a lot that her heart would change and that she would change her mind. Well we had a lesson with her this week and after hearing Matias testimony, she thought about it and asked us a lot of questions about baptism and then gave him permission. He is at EFY right now in Osorno and will be getting baptized on Sunday when He gets home. It was a miracle to say the least. 

Pia is doing great they all were at church as a family yesterday. I am so happy for them. 

Hermana Rosales is doing great! She is working really hard and we make a good team. We love our sector and we are enjoying working here. 

This past week I studied a lot about how to teach the missionary lessons using only the Book of Mormon. It is amazing that it is possible to teach all the Doctrine of the Gospel using the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book Of Mormon is true. It is a testimony of Gods great love for us. 

I am grateful for weaknesses because they are a constant reminder of the need for a Savior.  When i still feel stressed or worried I know where to turn and I know that I can be patient in times of trial because Heavenly Father is there and that will never change. So even though it is still hard at times its definitley okay. I have learned so much about trusting in Gods plan. 

Well I love you all!

Have a great week!!!

Hermana Egbert

How are you all!? 

It has been a really good week. I said goodbye to Hermana Hill on Tuesday ( that was really sad:( )and recieved my new companion on Wednesday!. She is so great! Haha I was planning not to speak a word of english because I knew she was from Argentina. To my surprise she speaks fluent english! Wow. She speaks in english with me and I speak spanish with her! We both are learning that way :)  She is tiny, like 90 pounds and 5 ft. 

I feel like a giant next to her and all the chileans!  Haha and she has an obsession with fruit and cream! We have eaten strawberried with cream everyday of this week. I need to stop! 

She is 29 and super excited about the missionary work. When she told me she was 29 I was a little nervous to how I could help train a missionary older than me, but its been going good.

We were able to see so many wonderful miracles this past week. Pia is doing great. We had a lesson with her family about tithing and fast offerings. The spirit really helped them understand the importance. This family is so important to me. I can just feel Heavenly Fathers love for them each time we teach. The Dads heart has been so softened. At first he wanted nothing more to do with the church, but now he is remembering the testimony he once had and helping teach his children. 

They showed up early to church! I was playing piano prelude music when they walked in and I could not stop smiling. 

We just found out that our investigador Matias is now part of the other branch here in Villarrica. I was so sad when they told me because it means we wont be teaching him any more but I know that it doesnt matter. Its all the same work and he will do great in the other branch. 

I wanted to share a cool experience that happened with a new investigator. The elders from the Conepcion south mission called with a reference for us! They have been teaching a man named Ernesto. He has been progressing a lot and would like to be baptized. He just moved to Villarrica. We met up with him for a lesson on Saturday. We started talking and he mentioned that he is struggling to find a place to live. In Villarrica is a tourist city and so all the houses only rent by day, not by month. We decided to say a pray and ask that we could find a room for him to rent by month. After the prayer we contacted the relief society president and she called around. With in 20 minutes we found a room that was for rent up the street from the church. The relief he felt was evident on his face. We then shared with him the scripture in Mormon 9 about how God is a God of miracles. We said a prayer of thanks and then he went to go look at the room and sign the contract. 

It was a testimony to me of how God hears the prayers that we offer up in faith. I was the one who said the prayer and I really tried to believe Heavenly Father would hear it. I know that Heavenly Father answered our prayer because he loves His son Ernesto and is aware of Him.

Being a missionary is so cool. We can meet with complete stangers but have such a special connection because of the message we share. 

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and complete:) I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. Tithing is a special commandment that instantly brings blessings. 

Love you all! Have a great week 

Hermana Egbert

So we finished up another transfer here. I am getting quite the collection of missionary agendas. With each transfer I love the missionary work more and more. And each transfer is getting faster and faster. 

This week we had Zone conference and interviews with President Isom. It was so great! 

We are still working with Pia and her family. They didnt come on Sunday so she wont be able to baptized this week after all. It was sad when they didnt come, but my comp and I knew we had done all we could and that they had their agency too. I think that is one of the hardest things about missionary work is remembering that the people have agency.

Matias is doing great still! We were to find some new people this week and teach them the Restoration. I feel like just now I am learning how to do this whole missionary thing. I am loving teaching and testifying about truths that I know to be true. I love seeing how the Holy Spirit helps me and my companion teach to their needs. 

Well it is super nice the Holidays are over because people are eating a lot less meat. WooHOO!

Hermana Hill is leaving to Puerto Aisen, an area about 5 hours by bus and 2 by plane! 

I will be recieving a brand new hermana from Argentina.  I am so excited to be with a new missionary. They are always so excited about the work! 

Well Its going to be a great week. 

I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. He is a wonderful example of faithful, cheerful service. I have loved testifying to the people for the past year about prophets. I know that God calls prophets to lead and bless the world. I know that God loves us. I know that we are meant to be tried, but in those trying circumstances there is ALWAYS are reason to rejoice. Jesus Christ can be the source of Joy in the hardest and easiest of moments. I know that this gospel is true :) 

Love you all!

Have a great week:)

Happy 2018! Crazy! 

Well this past week was a lot of fun. We were working hard all week with out seeing many results. Sunday was just a day of miracles. We have been working with the Ramirez family my whole transfer here. I am so glad I got called to Villarrica so I could know them. They are so special. It is the most amazing thing seeing them change as a family and have a goal to attend the temple this year. They came to church and stayed for two hours this time instead of just sacrament!! 

Matias is still as faithful as ever. He is at church every Sunday and is being so patient while he is waiting for permission to be baptized.

On Sunday night an older couple (they have been married for 56 years!) in the ward invited us to eat with them. We had permission to eat dinner with a family in the ward until 10 (haha its so excited when the curfew changes).

They barbequed half of a lamb for just the 4 of us. I have never eaten so much meat in my life! I was trying so hard to eat but I was so full! The couple is so sweet and treated us so special. They made so much food for us. Hermana Hill and I just felt so loved and taken care of. 

We just went home and slept after but we set an alarm to wake up at 12 and see the fireworks. We have a great view of the lake from our window so we were able to see the huge firework show they do here. It made me so happy! I love fire works so much! 

Well that is about what is new here in the mission field but I hope that everyone has a great week:)

Last night we had the oppurtunity to accompany a member to give a priesthood blessing to a newborn baby that is pretty sick. It was so special to hear the blessings that Heavenly Father wanted to give this little baby. It reminded me that the worth of souls is great in Gods sight. 

Love you guys!

Hermana Egbert

It was fun seeing some of the family yesterday! Haha it went so fast because there are so many people and so little time! I was pretty sure I wasnt going to cry this time because as much as I love my family I havent been too homesick during my mission. Oh boy was I wrong. The moment I saw mom on the screen I started to sob. Well so much for being a tough guy :) 

Well last week we were able to be involved in a lot of concerts in each of the sectors of the zone. It was really fun! On Christmas Eve we were given permission to stay out until 11 wow! We were at a members home. To celebrate Christmas here they eat a lot of Lamb and other meat. We ate at about 10 at night, usually they have christmas eve dinner at midnight but they ate "early" for us. 

It was a very different Christmas but I liked it a lot and I am glad I got to experience a Christmas as a missionary. The people have been much more open to hearing the gospel! We have been able to find a lot of people to teach which is fun. 

On Saturday, Hermana Hill and I went to an orphanage for girls to sing for them and give them some stockings. We were asked to bear our testimonies with them and it was so special. I just knew that Heavenly Father loves them so much. He allowed Hermana Hill and I to be instruments in helping them feel His love. 

Love you all so much! Have a great week!

Love Hermana Egbert

The orphanage

This past week was great. Hermana Hill and I were so tired yesterday when we entered the house. It has been a ton of walking and teaching. There are a lot of people to be working with which I love. It keeps us busy! Everyone here is getting ready for Christmas! They all love hearing about our Christmas traditions in the United states. I told a lot people about how in my family we always do Breakfast for dinner on Christmas eve, a lot of members are going to do it this year for a change:)

Its really fun and special being a missionary at Christmas time. Many people are searching for peace. 

I love this scipture found in Isaiah and 2 Nephi 19

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; andthe government shall be upon his shoulder; and his nameshall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God,The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I really like that one of Jesus Christs names is The Prince of Peace. He is the author of all peace and I know that He gives it freely. I also know that to feel peace we need to know the absence of peace. Our trials, sickness, unhappiness help us understand that grand gift that peace is. I am really grateful for the gift of Peace. The gift of Jesus Christ. Remembering His humble birth and selfless life gives me the strength to teach these people. To try and forget my self a little more each day and give all I have to spreading the good new of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Can I ask a favor:) For Christmas all I want is an email from everyone who can :) And in it could you all share your favorite scripture about Jesus Christ? It will be fun to read them on Christmas day. 

I hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Love you all!

Hermana Egbert

Another week. I have been writing these fun emails for a year now and I hope you are all still reading them.... ;) 

So much happened this week! I will just bullet point:)

1. Pia and her family came to church! She is 9 and wants to be baptized. Her mom, dad and brother are all inactive members. We had a special lesson with them this past week. We were able to help them make a goal to be sealed as a family before the end of 2018. Hermana Hill and I were able to promise them that they could make that goal as a family as they did the basics of reading the scriptures daily, praying individually and as a family, and attending church. When they walked into church yesterday while we were singing the opening hymn I couldnt stop smiling. The members were so welcoming to them. I loved expressing to this family how much Heavenly Father loved them and wants them back. It strengthened my testimony of eternal families. 

2. Matias is awesome! We had a lesson with him on Saturday that felt like a complete failure after. But he came to church yesterday! And he was so different. He was sharing his testimony with us. After church he said that he cant wait to one day be an Elder. Like a missionary! We asked why and he said that he wants others to know about the Book of Mormon and how much it changed his life. He said that its okay even if he has to wait until he is 18 to be baptized, he will be baptized. He is a great example to me and to the branch members. I remembered that like always the conversion will not happen while my companion and I are teaching but rather after we leave and the Holy Spirit speaks to their heart. 

3. Camila is quitting smoking. She is completely turning her life around so she can be baptized. It is amazing to see people stop life long habits in order to be worthy of the Holy Ghost. 

Those were three great things that happened this week. I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time and in this place! I am grateful for each hard day, moment of stress or anxiety because they remind me to turn to my Savior in each moment.Our weaknesses can be such a blessing because yes, in time they will someday become strengths but while we patiently continue on, they can be our greatest ties to Jesus Christ. They are a constant reminder of the need for a Savior. 

 I hope everyone is excited for Christmas!!! Woohoo! 

Love you all!

Hermana Ashlyn Egbert