Christmas Caroling!

Dear family and friends,

What a wonderful blessing this time of year is for us! I have seen so many miracles from serving the Lord's people during this time of year. Many hearts have been softened from the season of honoring Christ. 

As a district, companionship, and friends, we went to serve others and share the Christmas spirit through caroling! Most of the people were open to receive our message after sharing the joy of music. It was so touching to see their faces brighten up as we sang. Some would listen with a smile as tears streamed down their faces. We touched a lot of hearts from sharing the Christmas hymns. 

One visit in particular touched my heart. We were given a referral to visit the home of a man who was suffering from brain cancer. As we walked to his house, it started to downpour rain. We started to sing, and immediately the door opened. I cried at what I saw. Two women answered the door, and just inside, the man suffering from cancer was laying on a hospital bed. The women invited us inside and we sang for him. He was so thankful for our visit. He explained that he used to carol when he was healthier, and he really appreciated what we were doing. They were touched by our Christmas spirit and accepted the invitation for us to visit again.

What a beautiful time of year this is. What a wonderful, amazing opportunity we have to share the light and hope of the gospel!

My challenge for you is to pray for those who are in need. Pray that they will be comforted and guided.

I love you all.

Keep smiling,

We got to Skype with her!!!

Saturday, 26 December 2015

The best thing about yesterday (Christmas Day) was that we got to Skype with Sister Eggett for a little over an hour!  She is doing greast!  She is simply glowing!  She and her companion sang "O Holy Night" to us and to Sister Stewart's family.  It was fantastic!  Sister Stewart has a beautiful voice, and Sister Eggett is very good at harmonizing, so they sounded great together!  We asked her questions about her mission.

~~~~~
What advice would you give to somebody preparing for a mission?

Set VERY high standards and stick to them!  Read scriptures often...and not just read...STUDY!  And pray very often, because that is what helps a person to become close to Heavenly Father and create a good relationship with Him!

What is your favorite thing about being a missionary?

Tracting!  Of all things!  She thought she would hate it, but she says she really loves it!  This month particularly is so nice because they sing Christmas Carols and then the people will feel the Spirit and want to listen!

And what is the worst thing about being a missionary?

Not getting to see and be with her family every day.  And sometimes her thoughts wander to things she shouldn't be doing or thinking about.  It's hard to bring herself back to what she should be doing.

What are the people like?

Amazing!  So open, and friendly, and warm, and welcoming!  They have become like family to her in such a short time!  They are so good to the missionaries!

What is the 'language' like in Georgia?  Grin...

The southern 'drawl' that she was expecting is not nearly as thick as she thought.
~~~~~

It was so great to be able to see and talk with her!  She is doing so well!  She looks and acts like a missionary!

Merry Christmas from Sister Eggett!

Monday, December 21 2015

Dear family and friends,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wow, what an amazing time of year it is to be out in the field, serving the Lord's people!

I am finally here in Georgia! It is so great to finally be here. The people are amazing and welcoming, so far I haven't had any doors slammed in my face, and miracles are happening all the time!

God has blessed me with an incredible mission companion/trainer. Sister Stewart is fun, loves music (and chocolate ;) ), has a beautiful voice, and shares the joy of the gospel through her smile. She has been a blessing in my life. I so appreciate all that she has done to help introduce me to mission life.

MIRACLES!

I've only been in the field for one week, and already the mission work is progressing. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend my first convert baptism. I met "M" only a few days before her baptism and had the opportunity to visit with her and share a scripture. She has a wonderful spirit, and lives the principle of enduring to the end. There have been so many trials in her life (especially since her introduction to the Church), but she has been faithful through them. I love her smile, and her personality, and her ability to share the gospel through her light. She is an amazing example of Christ. :)

Something I've learned is that if I feel like I should do/say something or go somewhere, I need to listen. The Spirit always leads me to people who brighten my life or who we help draw closer to Christ.

​"​

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might withsurety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the​ ​right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an​ ​anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure​ ​and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led​ ​to glorify God.​" Ether 12:4​

​My challenge for you is to find someone who is less active to share the video "A Savior Is Born" with. You can find it online at christmas.mormon.org. Be bold and serve the Lord's people! Help others come unto Christ. :)​

You are all so amazing, and God loves you!! (I love you too. :))

May the Lord bless you. Keep smiling and sharing your light!

They are feeding her well!

I have been receiving pictures from her ward members!  I love it!  Not only do I get to see her face, but I'm also getting to know the members she is serving with!

Here's what this member had to say:

'We have your sweet daughter in our home for lunch.  I just wanted you to know she is smiling and happy.  She is in Powder Springs, GA.  She is serving in the Lost Mountain Ward.  Our ward is very good to the missionaries.  She will be fed well and loved."

...The ward knows to stay away from gluten.  Her trainer is very good but goes home in a few months.  She said it has been a whirlwind but she is loving it.  She shared a scripture with our family.  She did awesome.  She will be a great missionary.

They typically leave sisters in wards for a long time so we will keep you updated.  There must be something special about her because they had 5 investigators at church today.  I haven't seen that many before..."

~~~
I just love the modern convenience of texting so I can receive fantastic messages like these!!!

Her first baptism already!!!

19 December 2015

Not that she can take any credit for it, since the people before her had done all the work, but she attended her first baptism today!  What a great way for her to begin a mission!

From left to right:

Sister Barrett, M, Sister Stewart, Sister Eggett

Sister Barrett was Sister Stewart's former companion, and has actually completed her mission.  She flew back just for this baptism to surprise M!

With her Mission President and his wife!

Wednesday 16 December 2015

This is out of order, but I wanted to post this pic I received a few days ago.  It was taken the day she flew to Georgia.  This is Sister Eggett with her Mission 'parents', Brother and Sister Foote.

A sweet member sent us a picture!

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Kathryn Miller from Lost Mountain Ward, in Powder Springs, gave Sister Eggett and her trainer, Sister Stewart, a ride to a zone meeting in Douglasville and took a picture of them and sent that picture to both of the Moms!  I texted briefly with Sister Stewart's Mom and learned she is the youngest of 4, and they live in St. George!  She's been out for 15 months!

Last Day at the MTC!!!

16 December 2015

Hi family and friends!

What a joyous season this is! :)

Today, it snowed here at the Provo MTC! What a beautiful blessing it was to wake up to. It was a wonderful greeting and reminder of God's love for us, especially since it doesn't snow much in Georgia. The Lord's tender mercies are upon those who seek Him!

Tomorrow I leave for Georgia early in the morning. I have loved the time I have had to get to know the people at the MTC, and I have appreciated all the great blessings that have come from learning more about Christ.

Devotionals at the MTC are so amazing. Yesterday (Sunday) the BYU men's chorus came and performed for us. Their songs were touching as they shared the spirit of Christmas with us through music.

My love for music has grown since I've been at the MTC. Each day, we sing at least two hymns. We sing them before class starts, at Church, to begin devotionals, and at many other times throughout the week. Before Sunday devotionals begin, we sing Christmas hymns until it's time to start. It is such an incredible way to bring in the Spirit!

The (temporary) calling I received for church was music coordinator, so I was blessed with the opportunity to put together music selections for Sacrament Meeting. The departing districts sang the EFY medley, "As Sisters In Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth". It was so beautiful! I love music.

For class instruction, we have the opportunity to teach "investigators" (normally they are teachers acting as investigators). Brother Kreider, one of my fantastic, enthusiastic teachers, acts as "Kevin", one of our investigators. I have learned so much from him.

Our second to last meeting with Kevin was touching. Before we went in to teach him, we said a prayer as companions, asking Father for His spirit, and His love. As we prayed, the Spirit filled us. And when we spoke with Kevin, I was filled with a feeling of God's love for Kevin. It touched me to feel how much Father loves His children. I know that He really does love each of us individually. He is there for us always, and He cares for us. 

You are all so amazing. Keep smiling. I know that God lives, and that He loves us and wants what is best for us. I know that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He died so that we might live. He loves us!

May the Lord bless you as you seek Him. I challenge all of you to reach out to others this month, as a Christmas present to the Lord. Serve others, strive to be Christlike in all your doings, and be amazing. You may not wear Christ's name on a tag everyday, but all of you wear Christ's name in your hearts. His light is within all of you. It is waiting to shine. Let it shine. Be an example of the believers, and radiate that light!

Merry Christmas. :)

Your sister in Christ,

The awesomeness of my zone!! Plus maybe a few photobombers... ;)

The sisters to my left (your right) in the picture are my companions. Sister Leyba is the one hunched over with the curly blond hair. Sister Foster is right next to her.

First Letter!

We received our first email from Sister Eggett today! :)


12/7/2015

Hi family and friends!

This entire week has been a HUGE blur of craziness! I am doing well here. The food is good, and they have been very supportive of my dietary restrictions. Also, it's okay to drink the OJ. Trust me, it is!! 

I have been assigned to a tri-companionship. My companions are Sister Foster, and Sister Leyba. Sister Foster is social and fun to be around. She has a beautiful voice, and she shares her smile frequently with us. 

Sister Leyba is a child at heart. She loves those around her, and she is constantly singing!

I love them both. They are amazing!

I had a hard time at first, adjusting to everything. Sundays are my favorite so far. I absolutely love the Sabbath, it is truly a day of rest. ESPECIALLY for missionaries! I had been feeling a bit of anxiety on Saturday, and I received a priesthood blessing from the Zone leaders that evening. After that, things went a lot better. I have learned to reach outward, instead of turning in. It's been a challenge to discover the joys of the MTC, but I have been able to see the amazing things to be learned and shared from this experience! 

The missionaries (elders and sisters) are all fantastic! I love being around them. They lift me up and help me to see the good. They give me things to laugh about. They are my new family. We are truly brothers and sisters in Christ.

I love you all very much.

Keep smiling, and may the Lord bless you!

Hugs,

Sister Eggett :)

She's a missionary now!

She's been gone less than a week and we miss her so much!  She adds so much peace and love and fun and joy to our family!  But we had a great couple of days when we dropped her off at the MTC!  First a session at the Payson Temple, then Sushi with some friends in Payson!

The next morning, we went back to the Payson temple for some pictures, then over to the Provo temple for more fun and pictures and our final good-byes!

Right about 12:45 we pulled up at the MTC and got out just long enough to get her stuff and give one more hug, and get one more pic (actually 3 more, but shhhh!), then we drove off while she was whisked away to spend the next 2 weeks preparing to go to Georgia so she can share the gospel of Jesus Christ through her love and example...and the light in her eyes!

Look how short she is!!!

I has a DingleHopper!

Goofing around!

Cumorah is gonna miss her big sister!

I was trying to get a picture of her kissing her baby (who slept through the whole thing),

but her hair was in the way.  This was the only pic I got of them!

I love these girls!

Your Daddie is so proud of you, Sister Eggett!!!