18 January 2015- A New Year - "Self Examination"

"Each member serves as a testimony of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We are at war with the forces of the adversary, and we need each and every one of us if we are going to succeed in the work the Savior has for us to do."

-President Boyd K Packer

"The Savior's example provides a framework for everything that we do. And His words provide an unfailing guide."

-President Thomas S Monson

"The Invitation to 'follow Him'... is not a passive invitation; it is an invitation to act."

- Elder Eduardo Gavarret of the Seventy

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Presidente Egbert,

Man! amo estar aquí!! cada semana es TAN diferente. Siento que ni puedo comprender cuanto hago, si es pequeño o grande pero sí he podido sentir que el Señor dirige Su obra. me encanta ver que todavía hay personas con bastante fe y fervor para obedecer. Esta semana enseñamos una familia llamada la familia Elizalde. les encontramos por sencillamente hablar con un hombre arreglando un camión en frente de su casa. entramos en su casa unos dias después y él realmente no quería. hablamos con su esposa y ella tampoco, pero ahí estuvieron una familia de oro esperandonos. Ellos han asistido a la capilla desde ese día y les encanta cada leccion que les damos. El día de reposo fue el mandamiento más dificil pero lo han aceptado excelentemente! El otro día llegamos a la capilla unos minutos antes de empezar porque habíamos ido a llevar otra investigadora pero no pudo, cuando llegamos ahí estuvieron todos de la familia Elizalde. Ellos comprenden muy bien el compromiso que harán con Dios cuando se bautizarán. de hecho en la noche fuimos a visitarles y casi de inmediato nos dijo la abuelita de 48 años, "¿Qué es el diezmo?!" pensamos que sería su punto de negarnos pero mientras lo explicamos ella nos interumpió y dijo, "¡por fin! he estado esperando que alguien me diera uno de esos sobres! ¡desde el primer día he querido dar mi diezmo pero yo pensé que no lo hacían!" I think i love her! jokes, pero en serio ella me inspira.

me ha encantado poder trabajar aquí en Tulancingo y lo voy a extrañar. Sé que milagros si pasan si tenemos la fe suficiente no solamente para cerrar nuestra boca cuando sea necesario pero abrirla con valor cuando haya la oportunidad. Gracias por permitirme ser Líder de Zona. La verdad siento que no fui el mejor lider pero he aprendido mucho de este asignación. Gracias por su paciencia y dirección Presidente Egbert!

también necesito una entrevista para la recomendación del templo cuando usted puede. ya se caducará este mes.

-Su siervo y amigo,

Elder S

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"Bring Them Back to The Fold"- 

Go and do your part!

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Hola Presidente,

i am gonna write this one in English (exception please) because there are just so many things i want to say.  First of all thank you for everything you have done for me, taught me, and blessed me with so far in my mission. You always seem to write letters for exactly what is happening in my mission at just the right time. Thank you for this time you have given to me here in Xico. It has been a bitter sweet day for me. I feel like maybe it is the right time for me to go right now but at the same time xico has become a part of my heart. I feel like i am leaving a part of my soul here and I think it is harder for me to leave Xico than it was for me to leave home. When I first got here a lot of people talked about the other missionaries that were here and they come to Xico to learn a lesson and dont leave until that lesson has been learned. I was thinking a lot about that and what is my lesson to learn. They would comment about the things that others needed to learn and I would reflect if I needed to learn the same or a similar lesson. I think I have finally learned my lesson here and I hope that i have truly learned it well. I feel like here I needed to overcome the pretextos and excuses. A lot of times I would tell myself dont worry about everything so much youre in xico. Its a hard area and no one baptizes here or no one gets 40 lessons. If you get those things awesome but if not its normal. I lowered my own standards because of what others would tell me. Recently I have seen that the excuses will always be there. Maybe in some places more than in others but if we look for them they will always be there. It is up to us to go to work nothing more nothing less. I have seen that when we just get to work and work hard everyday. Dont worry so much about numbers or about what people are saying is when results will come. We are super excited for this month in January not only in Xico but in the district. Unfortunately I wont be here to see it but I feel like I have done my part. I have worked and left everything I have here in Xico and thats why its so hard for me to leave, but I know the Lord has a plan for me. I was joking around with my companion and i told him I was gonna fast so that I wouldnt have changes, but when i said my prayer to fast i just asked that what the Lord wanted for me would happen. That all our investigators would be blessed with the things they need whether its with me or someone else but that they will all receive the love and support they need. Xico has not been easy and i feel like the ward really wont progress like it can or like it should until the members also change their mindset. If the members think its impossible and thats just how things are in xico they will never be able to change. but i am hoping our example we will be able to help them change a little. it will take a lot of work and elders who will really give everything they have but things can change. There are people ready and willing to listen we just have to go and find them. talk to the 300 to find the one. Thank you for everything Presidente. Hope you and sister egbert have a great new year.

Con amor

elder P

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"COVENANTS with God help us to know who we really are. They CONNECT us to Him in a personal way."

- Jean A Stevens

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Hola Presidente!

This week was really great. I felt the Spirit in almost every lesson. Hna ___ and I are learning how to teach by the Spirit in all moments. We have also learned that the Spirit is the only way to do this work. We absolutely will not have success or real converts if we don't teach by the Spirit every single time. It is so important. 

We had an amazing experience the other night as we were walking down the street. It was the day that Elder Ramos called and told us that we needed to go to Pachuca on Monday to finish my visa, so we knew we weren't going to have cambios. That night, we were talking about the coming cycle, with great anticipation and thankfulness that we would be here for at least another 6 weeks. We talked about how are going to have a baptism every week this cycle, and had a very spiritual experience. We both felt very strongly an affirmation that this is God's will - a baptism every week. It was amazing! I know in my heart that we have found the elect and that they will be baptized.

Consequently, we are willing to work as hard as we can, do whatever it takes, and make promises as representatives of the Savior Jesus Christ, in order to fulfill God's will. I have learned that there is a certain undeniable power when you promise and testify, when you know for a surety God's will. I have never felt the Spirit so abundantly in my life like I have this week. I have learned and grown and have been edified. Hna.____ and I are having a great time together, both learning and growing. We are finding out what it takes to be consecrated missionaries. I can sincerely say that I am so happy to be a missionary right now!

Thanks for everything, President!

Hna. S

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Monday: P-Day Project of House Improvement 

Elder Bickley and Elder Cruz 

Waffles and Painting with these good Elders.... Totally made my week!

 Finished Project looks amazing Elders!

Painting was an ALL day event - Quickly changed clothes, off to the grocery store for the weeks food, grabbed a bite to eat and then off to do divisions with ward members. Now that's what we call an efficient and effective PDay...

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hola presidente !! :D

ESTE domingo fue muy especial porque fueron 4 investigadoras por primera vez a la capilla . ellas en la clase de principios del evangelio participaron alegremente y eso fue genial ! vamos a darle seguimiento para que ellas puedan seguir progresando y puedan hacer convenios con nuestro padre ;). El dia de ayer fuimos donde una investigadora que se llama miriam , ella nos dijo que tenia una gran noticia para darnos y mi compañera le dijo que de seguro estaba embarazada ...fue bien chistoso ...bueno no tanto...por que aun no esta casada ..pero la sorpresa era que ella nos dijo que se quiere bautizar :). le hablamos de inmediato de la ley de castidad y le dijimos que si verdaderamente ese era su deseo debia procurar vivir los mandamientos !! aun le faltan domingo por ir para que pueda bautizarse pero vamos a darle seguimiento y verificar los compromisos !!! Estoy muy contenta ...ya que apesar que el mes de diciembre fue bien dificil que los investigadores asistan a la iglesia este mes esta animandome mucho presidente !! realmente deseo obligar al Señor que bendiga mucho esta area esta mision y se que la unica fortma es siendo obedientes con exactitud !! hasta ya estoy empezando ser mas ordenada jeje ..Pasa prsidente que ahora nuestra casa ya esta mas ordenada y procuro mantenerla asi .. no como antes ...no quiero que el Señor tenga algun pretexto para no bendecirme . Gracias por su carta presidente realmente esto de la purificacion va ser una experiencia muy buena :).El primer domingo del mes pasado no pude ayunar pues estaba tomando medicamento pero esta vez lo hare con el proposito de la purificacion !!! Gracias por ser un papa para mi en este tiempo !!! me gustaria que la mision pueda durar mas que 18 mese jejej se pasa muy rapido el tiempo como usted dice en su carta ...es tan rapido y hay tanto que hacer que quisiera que las semanas fueran de 10 dias jeje !!! 

le quiero mucho preseidente u}y gracias por su apoyo y oraciones Hermana C

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Tuesday is the First Day of Scheduled Interviews and House Checks Zone by Zone

DAY #1-  Valle Del Mezquital 

#1 Actopan - Elder Rubion and Elder Davis

 This was the first house we inspected and WOW they set the bar high for the rest of the zones. Happy to announce the whole zone was in tip top shape and set the standard for all missionaries. Nice job everyone! President and I were very impressed.

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Actopan #2- Hermana Anderson/Hermana Dominquez 

This house is a great find for the missionaries in this area. 

P.S. President "We want to be on the waiting list for bikes"

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#3 Actopan- Elder Flores and Elder Mendoza 

Thanks to previous Elders the paint job still looks great and these two elders are keeping things in "Tip Top Shape"... Gracias

 Waiting for their turn to interview with President and reviewing agendas with the zone leaders.

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Guerrero #1- Hermana Chozo/Hermana Cuc

I love that even the simplest of concrete houses if kept clean and organized can be actually pretty nice. The missionaries are getting so good and brightening up any house with a little effort. So proud of all their efforts today!

 A look over the valley of where many of the missionaries serve that were interviewed today. It's a beauty all it's own.

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hola presidente,

esta semana fue muy bien logramos las 40 lecc. y tuvimos un bautismo. estamos muy animados. estoy muy animado por el tiempo que me queda. le voy a compartir algo que escribí a mi familia, y como ellos no hablen español lo escribí en íngles.....

so i was thinking the other day about this being my last cycle ..... and then the thought came to my mind that im now in "overtime". i was thinking that that is the most important time of any game. it doesnt matter how good or how bad you have played before everything depends on this last little bit of time. and i think that that applys to the mission. right now is the the time the decided everything, the home stretch the last push. when i was swimming this was always the best time its when you give it everything and hold nothing back, even if your tired, dead tired you have to dig deep and find that energy and thats what i plan to do. in these last 6 weeks we are going to push limits and break records we are going to do everything possible and we are even going to do the impossible.

....no se preocupe por mi presidente no voy a "morir"

gracias por todo presidente

elder k

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Guerrero #2

I love to visit this house because it is one of the most improved houses in the mission since our arrival. The missionaries who have been serving here the last 6-8 months really have taken an interest in making it better. Though the structure of the house hasn't changed the cleanliness and organization is impeccable. Thank you Elders for continuing to make this one of the cleanest houses in the mission. 
The desks look cleaner- did you sand them?

Elder Rodriquez and Elder Steadman

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San Juan- 

This is one of the cutest little houses. We continue to feel grateful for Elder Campuzano (Who has since returned home) as he installed a kitchen sink which has made it so much better for the sisters living here. Though this is a little, little house it does the job and is easy to clean...

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Tepa #1

 The Zone Leaders Elder Leon and Elder Beck lead by example, and for that we are grateful. Elder Beck always teases me when I say "lets go see your house", by responding "Oh NO! You are going to check our house? We forgot to clean!"

 But, I know he is always joking... and by the way, I like the new color of the outside of the house. I wasn't a huge fan of the green!

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Tepetapec #1

Ok, so these two Elders actually brought tears to my eyes. I don't want to go into detail but I arrived to find this house in PERFECT order. I was so pleased, shocked, impressed, and speechless... I know- Hermana Egbert speechless? She never is speechless! So grateful for the sincere efforts and work that Elder Smith and Elder Rodas put into their house. Elder Smith said, "Sister Egbert don't cry. If you cry I can't hug you."  How sweet. I told President how great it looked. Now he has proof as do all of you! 

PS Elder Clark/Garza your paint job still looking sharp!

 

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Tepa 1 -B 

Hermana Yates/ Hermana Maceda

 I arrived in time to see that these two sisters had just pulled up on their bikes. Do they not get any cuter than this?! So grateful they are obedient and wear their helmets. Though we have had a few bike wrecks in the mission- everyone has been protected because they have helmets on and bike lights as instructed. Thank you!

Home Sweet Home

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(SIster Missionary just finishing 6 months in the mission- Spanish letters from here on out )

Dear President!

Wow, im in a new area! I love it! I am still learning the area and people, so i have been feeling a little lost, but its been getting better. At least i can understand what everyone is saying.. thats an improvement! But we have some great ward members that help us out a lot and feed us lots and stuff so its been good! I miss my old area a lot, but i know i will come to know the area, the people, and love them all just as much as i loved everyone in Tecamac.

Out here, people are in the humblest of circumstances that i have seen yet here in the mission. They literaly have nothing.. they live in a house of cement bricks with an alluminum roof and dirt floor. And they are so happy. The people here amaze me and are so willing to just give whatever they have, even if its just a hug. I learn from them everyday!

I just want to share something from this week that i learned... This week i had a moment when we were riding our bikes inbetween big fields and i was reflecting on the lessons of that day and my tired legs and how much time ive been out here and i just kinda had a "wow" moment. Im out here on a mission. Im in Mexico. Im speaking spanish and teaching people about Jesus Christ and how much their Father in Heaven loves them. People are hearing about Joseph Smith for their first time. What an amazing blessing and priviledge it is to be here doing what i am doing. I am SO BLESSED. I may groan at 6:20 when the alarm goes off, i may be tired all the time, sometimes the food is spicy, sometimes the investigators dont come to church, sometimes i miss my family.....but when it all comes down to it... wow. I am a missionary. I am here. I am so blessed. I am having the time of my life and i am looking forward to every moment of these 11 months that i have left.

Thanks for all you do!

Hna. Y

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St Augustine-

 Elder Lopez/ Elder Rivera

 Nice Job Elders! Thank you for having everything in PERFECT ORDER!

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January 2015- Leadership Consejo 

Wednesday

 Our Group is a tad smaller as we downsized one set of zone leaders and one set of sister leader trainers for several reasons this last cycle. We also were missing one set of sister leader trainers from Tecamac who are experiencing the "Chicken Pox". We missed them.  

-Pictures by Hermana Bailey

• MENU: Hermana Egberts Famous Chicken Tacos
• Spinanch/Strawberry Salad
• Old Fashioned Cinnamon Oatmeal Cake with Ice Cream
• Topics of Training Included: 
• Leadership by Hermana Egbert: What influences who we have become as individuals and how does that apply to me as a leader?
• Assistants- Sister Leader Trainer Trainers : Contacting by your own initiative and making a daily covenant with the Lord
• President: Topics from the List of Blessings

Leadership Council -14 January 2015

 "Good help is hard to find around here... but he handled the cake and ice-cream duty without incident!" Thanks President....

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 Elder Cardwell and Elder Ferrin are the Winners for being the FIRST companionship headed back to their area. They won themselves a special prize....

 The weather today was beautiful and sunny which helped things warm up!

 The Presidents two assistants Elder Clark and Elder Barrios represent what is good and right in the mission. We have so many outstanding missionaries that are OBEDIENT with Exactness and Work Diligently here in the Mission. 

For all of you we are eternally grateful. 

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Hola Presidente!

How have you been? First, I just want to thank you for all the advice and love that you have given me so far! I feel like i have improved a lot in the past few weeks as a missionary! Thank you so much for all that you do for me and the other missionaries in this mission! Im so glad that i get to serve in the best mission in the world!! Well, me and Elder _____ had a pretty successful week this week, although our baptism fell because the couple we were going to baptize couldn't schedule a date for their marriage until the 21st. But, they are going to be baptized on the 24th instead. As of now we have 6 people scheduled to be baptized on the 24th, haha! I hope they dont mind all getting baptized together haha. Its gonna be a great day, i cant wait!! We also had quite a bit of success on Sunday (Yesterday) because we were able to get all six of our investigators with secure dates to come to church and we had quite a few more less actives attend as well! we have been working a lot with the less actives because the ward boundaries are so big, so there are so many people that cant attend every sunday. But, we have so many less avtive members that if they were all active we would have enough members for three different wards! So, because of this we have been trying to find more less active members and help them to do all that they can to get to the chapel every week!! Also I feel like the teaching of Elder Gomez and I has gotten a lot better! We have been testifying a lot more and I can feel that we are inviting the spirit a lot more into our lessons! This week we had 5 of our progressing investigators commit to baptism!! We just need to work really hard to get them to church! Im so excited for them and so excited for Elder G____ and I!! We are going to work as hard as we can this week and I cant wait to see the results!! Honestly I believe that the success that we have been having has come mostly from improving obedience these past few weeks, We have been trying our hardest to be Missionaries that are "Obediente con Exactitud". Its a really high bar that we have set for ourselves but i believe that If we work hard enough we will be able to achieve a lot more as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you so much for everything that you do and Keep praying for us!! Love you!

Elder P

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Friday is the Second Day of Scheduled Interviews and House Checks Zone by Zone

DAY #2-  Tezontepec Zone

Tlahuelipan 

Hermana Apolinar and Hermana Gonzalez are working hard in their area. President did their interviews here in their home after the house check so they didn't have to travel all the way into Mixi. Keep up the good work Hermanas!

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Tezontepec #1 

Hermana Brioso and Hermana Schaumkel. 

Hermana Schaumkel getting things back on track in this area and helping re-establish the mission standards. Thank you for your hard work and diligent efforts no matter where you serve. The Christmas Tree is still such a cute decoration that it might have to be a "Valentine" Tree next.

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Tezontepec #2  

Elder Lainhart and Elder Guerra in this cute little house. They are getting settled in after special changes the night before. The house looked great and they just have to dispose of the garbage which comes at 0500 twice a week. "Up and at It" when you hear them coming!!!

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Elder Child, Elder Martinez, Elder Yazzie and Elder Morales all from the area of Ixmiquilpan. I will be traveling to their area checking their house this coming Friday. So will have pictures posted next week. 

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Mixquiahuala #1- Zone Leaders House

Elder Pena and Elder Ellis 

Though this is one of my least favorite houses because the owners left so many personal items in the house for which we are ultimately responsible -(Yes I worry about things I shouldn't) The Elders love the bigger beds and the three stories makes it quite unique. Grateful for missionaries who are mindful of the owners things and make great effort to ensure nothing is damaged.

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Mixquiahuala #2-

 Elder Jones and Elder Elibee

I have been so grateful this particular cycle for the quality of trainers that we have training the 8 new missionaries. This is the only house we opened this cycle and it was a good one found by the previous zone leaders. They had everything set up and ready for these two Elders. When I mentioned to them how clean and organized their house was Elder Jones commented, "Well it's a new house for the mission and we have only been here two weeks. How bad could we mess it up!" I love his sense of humor. These two are doing exceptional together....

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Headed to catch the bus back to their area. Full of brownies and juice boxes...

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Panuaya- Elder Stephens and Elder Pease

All in perfect order and what a view out their study window... They even have beautiful flowers outside their patio... I love the beauty of this zone with its wide open spaces and farm land! 

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Presas- Elder Smith and Elder Marquez

 So they cleaned up a storm in their house Monday and wow it was worth it! This is the best I have ever seen Elder Smith have his house. I was so impressed that tears almost came to my eyes again. I'm grateful for missionaries who treat each other with love- respect and step up when asked and given the responsibility. We expect great things from these two Elders in the near future! 

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 Progreso- Hermana Peel/Hermana Contreras

I am so sorry I don't have pictures of their house- their was a mis-communication about the house checks, but they did have their house perfectly ready for me to see after interviews. President and I still needed to travel to one more distant area to interview 5 more missionaries so time did not allow me to go to their home. I have no doubt that their house was cleaned, groceries bought, emergency funds in place and required medications on hand. President and I are so impressed with the great efforts of this companionship and so excited as Hermana Peel settles into mission life here in Mision Mexico Pachuca. They commented that they have seen great miracles in this area in the last two weeks.

 Guess who is visiting? Sister Rojas who recently returned home from the mission has returned to this area to visit and showed up during interviews to give us a hug and say hello! What a great young lady she is..... 

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Santiago # 2 - Elders Elton/Ruiz/Stewart 

A trio of missionaries is no easy challenge and Elder Stewart has taken on the extra load with a smile. He is serving as District Leader and training Elder Ruiz his final two cycles and Elder Elton transferred in this last cycle. This little house sits on the third level above a Dentist Office. The members who live next door are very nice and treat our missionaries so well. Thank you to the members who lent Elder Elton a bike for this cycle...

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Santiago #1- Elder Castro/Elder Williams 

Last Interviews of the night and then onto see these Elders great house. This is one of the best houses in the mission and they had their bathroom all spiffy! My camera battery died so we didn't get more pictures of their fancy kitchen - study area (sorry)

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Thanks to Hermana Ramos (Office Couple) who went the extra mile as always and made our grandchildren mini versions of what the Elder Missionaries received for Christmas. They got them this week at home in Utah and sent us a picture!

Tucker (5), Tatum (2 1/2 ) and Emri ( 18 months)

Picture Gallery for the Week

They climbed to the top of this tower which has an exceptional view of the area...
 Exercise done for the day!

I think this hen represents me and my #191 chicks....

What is this stuff?!!!