Made a real "connection" to the Book of Mormon...

Well, well well.... What a week! I am pooped but so excited to be opening a new area in Vienna (so fancy) for sisters for the first time ever!

The ward here is amazing! 20 minutes after we moved in (to an empty apartment) members started bringing us food, furniture and everything else you could possibly need! I am so happy to here, but I really miss my companion and my Shirlington... I pray daily for those back in that amazing ward!

So I have a story for ya'll from our tracting this week! We knocked on a door and this very interesting man from Iran came and opened the door. He said he had a brain injury so we just stood there on the step and talked to him. We talked about Jesus Christ and his love for the Bible. He loves Paul and says "Paul is his drug" then we gave him a Book of Mormon and he was really excited... Then things got a little weird when he freaked out over a picture of Jesus we had... he started screaming and foaming at the mouth and screaming over and over JESUS IS THE LIGHT... Then he cussed us out we started to run away from his house... THEN he threw the Book Of Mormon at my head... Yah it hit and a minor head ache and a good story after... One of those moments where you just hide behind a bush with your companions and pray he doesn't find you... Then you laugh because you don't want to cry and try to figure out if that was real life with your companion... So that awkward moment when you have a copy of the Book of Mormon thrown at the back of your head....

Well that is my fun story for the week! I hope you got a chuckle! I know I did... Later....

As far as spiritual goes I know that no matter what the Lord will take care of us! I learn that more and more as I wait for this visa and I continue to "Go where you want me to go." I know he loves us and wants us to win! he gives us Commandments so that we can be free! Free from sin and from the pains of the world! Commandments are tools of Becoming! Becoming like the Savior and Tools of preparing... Preparing us to return to live with our Heavenly Father! If you read in the scriptures about commandments God himself and Jesus Christ follow them so why should we not? That just gives MORE reason we should! Besides they give us purpose and happiness!

Those are some of my thoughts from this week! I will let ya'll go!

I hope you have a magical day!!

I love you all so much!!!

Love Sister Michayla Egbert

 

 

A cool thing was when Elder S. Gifford Nielsen came! (he is a member of the 70 a quorum of men who help lead the church under the leadership of the prophet and the 12 apostles.)

 

Anyway he talked about so many cool things like how "This is your time" to serve and make it the best YOU can with YOUr talents, YOUr personality in the way the Lord needs YOU. Also talked about the "Perfect day" and how we have the power to make even the worst day the "Perfect day" in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 11 their is much destruction and hard times BUT it turns to the perfect day when the resurrected Jesus Christ comes to them. He also talked about how we can make today different...

He talked about courage and standing to say "I KNOW" in all times, and in all things, and all places. He asked if we knew that God is our Heavenly Father, if Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of the world, if we know that Joseph Smith is a prophet called to Restore Jesus Christ's church on the earth... etc... He went through a few more and hypothetically said could you stand and say I know......... A little sister missionary near the far back of the room full of missionaries and leaders stood tall and proud and said (with a voice not of her own but reverent with the spirit...) "I KNOW!!!!..........

The entire group turned and looked back as she awkwardly sat down and Elder Nielson said, thank you!.... She wasn't sure where that came from or who it was that caused her to stand up. A few moments later her eyes filled with tears as she realized her love for this Gospel and for her own personal testimony, one that she always knew she had but needed a reminder once again. Those two words will echo through her mind for all eternity... Two simple words that mean so very much "I KNOW..."

So who was this crazy chick... Yah it was me... It changed a lot of things in me and helped me realize more for myself how much I truly do know for myself that these things are true! I want you all to know as those I love so dearly that I do know that these things are true! I wouldn't have done this mission, I wouldn't have stood that day and everyday, I want you to know that I will continue to stand now and forever to say "I KNOW." I will stand to the death for the things I know! I love this work and I love being a missionary, it is hard as can be but so worth it as you catch that glimpse into eternity!

Okay okay I am done now!! I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!!! 

 

Never fear to stand and say "I KNOW." 

 

"Awake, awake stand up." 

 

Awake, awake put on strength."

 

Isaiah 52

Hey there friends!!

Another great week and I guess big snow today...We shall see... I have been sick this week which is really not fun but we keep on keeping! ALSO we got a flat tire, woo boy.... SO I took this chance as an opportunity to teach my companion how to change a tire... (Good thing my dad is awesome and taught me when I was little). When I called the mission office to go get the tire fixed the car guy asked what we did and I said "changed it......" he was so impressed and was all like "girl you must be from the country or something!" Well he's right! I have to say it was sort of fun changing a tire again, getting down and dirty... ANYway that was one of our many adventures this week.

We continue to teach amazing people and work really really hard to bring others closer to Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Many miracles heart breaks and good times. AND lots of food, we were fed very well this week.

I am sill learning so much more about good stuff and awe-ha moments!
I am finishing up my journey through gospels and it has been incredible! I have learned so much about my Savior and his life...I read one of my favorite chapters in Matt 18 I read about cutting off your arm that offends you and such...I thought of pride and how I want to cut it off and cast it away...... Which is not easy and is pretty painful but so worth it..... SO I have been thinking a lot about pride and the kinds of pride that I want to get rid of... one is the pride of hating on myself... When I am hating on myself I find myself sinking down into sad states of selfish thought and hatred for well, me... so I thought of this quote for myself.... "One of my greatest forms of pride is my own self doubt." MEE.... What do you think?? I think it's an interesting thought and a form of pride I didn't really see before. SO I want to work more to get rid of pride and keep my "eye single to the Glory of God." ALWAYS!

I must dash sorry so quick but I love you all so much!! I hope you all stay warm and safe!!!

Have a magical day!!!

Love Sister Michayla Egbert

Oh how I love the Nativity...

"Jesus once of Humble birth."

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:10-13

I know that Christmas is over but I really wanted to share this! Why? Because I love the Nativity! I am so grateful to have grown up in a home with God fearing parents that helped me to know the true and beautiful meaning of Christmas. I remember as the Christmas season rolled around the excitement of bringing out the Christmas boxes with my mother's various nativity scenes. She had different ones in different colors and designs. As a little girl I loved to unpack them so carefully and examine each character to ensure that it made it through another year of storage. I would then carefully place each character in it's rightful place with baby Jesus center. I remember sitting for long periods of time with the Christmas lights on and just looking at the tender little scene and trying hard with my little mind to picture what it would have been like to be a part of this humble and timeless moment.

This Christmas was unique from those of the past. This year instead of being a little girl at home with my dear family I had the chance to be far from home as a full time missionary for my Savior. Talk about a Christmas I won't forget. During this Christmas season I had the opportunity to go visit the Washington DC temple visitor center. There was a room that was filled with Nativity scenes from all over the world. My heart filled with joy as I thought back on my love for this humble little scene. I thought back on placing Jesus Christ so carefully at the center of our Christmas. Then I thought of my mission and the choice I have made to try my very hardest to put Christ so carefully at the center of my life and try to help others do the same in theirs. It has been something else. 

 I hope that as we enter into a new year we can all carefully place him in the center as a child would so carefully place him in the center of the Nativity. Think of him and his Atonement, think of his life and his teachings as you make goals for this new year and new beginning and remember the beauty of the Atonement and the gift of repentance which allows us to make EVERY day a new year!

These are pictures I took of some of my favorites from the visitors center. I wanted to share with you all how peaceful and beautiful and simple they are.

I have to say that is one is probably my favorite, this one which was a gift from some adorable little girls I once taught in primary. It is so beautiful and full of light.

I really hope you all enjoyed the pictures of the Nativity. I want you all to know that I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know that he is the greatest gift ever given by our Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ came to earth and suffered and Atoned for ALL our sins and pains and anything else we feel in this life! I know that he knows each of us and loves each of us so much! Most of all I know he lives and that we desires more than anything for us to come to him and cast our burdens his way! I know that it is a choice and that choice is a gift that will help us return to live in perfect joy and happiness with our Heavenly Father again!

 

I want to end with this scripture found in The Book Of Mormon in Alma 7:11-14:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

14 Now I say unto you that ye must ^arepent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

I love you all and hope you all have a magical and wonderful day and a blessed and happy new year!!

-Sister Egbert 

Merry Christmas

Hello dear friends and family!!!

Christmas week started off with a baptism for an AMZAING lady back in my old area, right their on Christmas eve and by miracle we made it over! BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas!! I know I did, it was a little hard to not be home but I got to video chat home for quite some time which was quite amazing!!! I got to see my... dogs and cat and house and oh yah my family!!! I love technology and the ability to see their wonderful faces AND hear that my brother is not yet taller than me... yet... Many tears and good talk later and we were off... Fastest moments EVER! But yet another amazing gift!!

We had Christmas dinner with a really nice family in the ward and then we went out to find our homeless friend and take him some clothes and Christmas dinner... We couldn't find him anywhere... SO said a lil prayer and then BAM there he was walking all alone down the road... We speeded up and flipped around. We told him to come and we would spend Christmas night all together... On our way we saw the Elders walking so we told them to join the party... It was great and helped me realize in a very real way (once again) the true meaning of Christmas. We read the Christmas story together and then just talked about Christmas and Enduring to the end and knowing through the Christ we can feel the comfort we need through the hardest trials.

I sat back and reflected on the day and thought of my love for the Savior and how happy I was to share this Christmas night with this dear man... I was very overcome with love for the testimony I have and the humble birth of the Savior! Wow, just wow! I know with all my heart that Jesus Christ is our Savior and he loves us so much! He is the ultimate gift from our Father in Heaveny and He gave us his Atonement which sets us free!

How was everyone else's Christmas? I hope it was wonderful and full of good memories and fun! Oh yes I have to brag a bit too I got some wonderful things including a card full of primary kids hellos from Colorado and a box of goodies from my ward family down in Florida!!! It filled me with tears as I went through that box and thought of those amazing family down down south out west and all over!! I am tearing up now just typing this! Once again I want you all to know how much I do love you and miss you! I hope you will never ever forget how much each of you have changed my life! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and hope you will have a wonderful new year! I am excited for the new year and the new beginnings! I have been thinking a lot of stories of new beginnings and what some of my goals will be as we have yet another chance to start a new bright beautiful year! Okay okay I am blabbering again! I hope you all stay safe and warm and hang in there no matter what!!

 Love,
Sister Michayla Egbert
 

Called to serve him!

My name is Sister Egbert and I am proud to be a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Welcome to my first official blog post. I am excited to talk to you here online in the world of facebook and other online activity, something that is still new but very fantastic for the world of missionary work.

What is it that I do as a missionary? Well my purpose as a missionary is to help invite others to come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that what we teach as missionaries is true. How? Through my own confirmation of the spirit. I am have read the Book of Mormon, I have had the experiences and above all I have prayed with real intent to know these things are true.

That is why I am here! As a missionary I give up 18 months to the service of God and my fellow men. You know what? It is one of the hardest things I have ever done but one of the most rewarding!! I get to share the one thing that has brought me the greatest joy in the darkest moments, the one thing that means more to me than anything else in the world. That my dear friends is the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through this gospel I know exactly who I am! I am a child of Heavenly Father who loves me (and you) so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to suffer for everything that we have ever experienced.

I know why I am here and where I am going! I know that I can return to live with God our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ again with my wonderful family for all eternity in perfect happiness.

I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very real and centeral to Heavenly Father's plan for us! When I decided around June 2012 to serve a mission I decided that one of my goals would be to know the Atonement of Jesus Christ more in my life in all it's aspects. Well my wish has been granted, of course I still have lots to learn! A scripture that has really set my thoughts free on the gift of the Atonement is found in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma chapter 7:11-14

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

14 Now I say unto you that ye must ^arepent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

This has quickly become one of my very favorites because it talks about so many of the things Jesus Christ suffered for us. Not just sin but EVERYTHING! I know with every piece of my heart and every fiber of my being that he knows everything we have ever felt. He knows every pain and heart ache and every sorrow, I think he knows every joy and happiness too!!! I know that as he suffered for each of us he looked into each of our eyes and saw everything we each would go through, He knows! AND I know that he lives!

Thanks for listening for today!

Have a fantastic day!!

Love Sister Egbert