May 21, 2013

Hello to my wonderful family and friends! What a blessing you all are in my life. You have no idea how much I appreciate the support and prayers through my time on my mission. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Well, first things first - next week is transfers. President Tilleman is hinting very strongly that I will be getting transfered, but you never know. It is all by the Lord. So just in case I am, any letters sent from now on should probably be sent to the mission home until further notice. It is okay if you already sent some recently, all mail will eventually get to me. But just thought I would let you know to send it to the mission office until I let you know where to send it :) Mom, could you maybe attach the address on here? I don't have it right on hand :) It is the one in Richmond. Thank you!

Well, a quick update on Robin. I have learned something very seriously this week. If we are not willing to obey the commandements of the Father, there will be consequences. It is as simple as that. Robon witnessed that this past week. He has been having the hardest time quitting smoking, and I almost felt hopeless. But I knew that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome all things. This was so proven. He told us that he quit smoking last week when we went to see him. Well, then the next day we went to visit him, they told us he was in the hospital again. We went to the hospital and found out what happened. Apparently, he went to the drug store to buy more cigarrettes. Bought them, and the second he got out of the store, he collapsed in his scooter onto the ground. They had to call the ambulance and rush him to the hopspital. They don't know exactly what is wrong with him still, but they do know he has this "super bug" they call it, that is taking over his body and is life threatening. Well, why does this matter? Because he is bed ridden. He cannot leave his room, and there is no smoking allowed in the hospital. See what I am getting at? He is forced to quit smoking! I have never been so excited in my life. He has not either. He has been having some serious withdrawals, obviously. Especially after 30 years of smoking. However, he asked the hospital for a patch to make things easier, and he says he has never been happier. The Lord knew that he could not do this on his own. So he gave Robin the incredible blessing of being put in the hospital where he can be taken care of and quit smoking at the same time. What an incredible blessing. He is so excited to continue to prepare for his baptism. Unfortunately, it won't be this weekend anymore because he will still be in the hospital. But it will be soon! The best way I know how to describe Robion is through a scripture - Mosiah 4:20. Read it, and you will know what we experience with Robin. I have never met somebody so willing to give up their sins, but having such a difficult time doing it. I love that man. More updates to come next week.

President Tilleman came last Wednesday to do a zone conference in West Bank for our zone. Oh what a wonderful experience that was. His son just got off of his mission in Argentina a week ago, so he came along with him as his companion. They both taught powerfully. What a blessing it was to be in the presence of such spiritual giants. I wish each of you could have been present and felt the incredible Spirit that resided in that chapel. I hope to live up to the wonderful words that he spoke toward us. Sister Haight and I have been working diligently with the members, trying to keep them involved in the missionary work. It is certainly not easy, but when we acheive our goals, it is so worth it!! Anyway, we ended up having 10 member present lessons last week. That is the most this area has ever had since it has been opened. President Tilleman was so excited, as were we. As we know that this is a sign that the Lord is harvesting the work here in little Oliver.

This past week has been an interesting one. Quite a bit of persecution that we endured. It makes me think of how incredible Joseph Smith was, or our Savior Jesus Christ, or any of the incredible latter-day Saints who have been persecuted for what they know to be true. People for some reason this past week have been pretty hard hearted toward what we have been preaching. Ya, it is sometimes difficult to endure. But the most difficult part of it all, is knowing what they are missing out on. This church is true. I know it. It is no longer a belief. And I KNOW that it will bring such happiness to their lives. But when they CHOOSE not to be happy, it is so difficult to watch. I cannot imagine how Heavenly Father feels watching His children on this earth. I was having a difficult time one night, just thinking of some of the encounters we had that day. I began reading in Matthew, and I am so grateful I did. Matthew 5:10-12 brought me such great comfort! How grateful I am to be persectued for righteousness' sake. I wouldn't have it any other way. I want to badly to help these people find happiness. But the saddest part of it all, is we are representatives of Jesus Christ. We are His representatives here in Oliver. Which means, they are treating Him this way. I apologize to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ every time we encounter something like that. I feel so terrible for what happens and what persecution is directed toward them. Oh how I love them and I weep for the pain they must feel watching this world.

The other night, I believe it was Friday, I was praying fervently to my Heavenly Father to let me know that I was making Him proud. I fear that I fall short of His standards and I want to never do that. I wanted to know that I was doing good here in Oliver. Well, I concluded my prayer right before bed at about 10:20. At 10:25 my prayer was answered. We got a phone call from President Tilleman (which was extremely strange, because we are supposed to be in bed by 10:30!). But it was wonderful, and an absolute answer to prayer. He called, with Sister Tilleman on the phone as well. He said "Sisters, I am sorry it is late. But I needed to call you and tell you that I couldn't be prouder of you." He continued to speak, with Sister Tilleman, for about 10 minutes. I will not go into the things he said, for fear of sounding prideful. That is the exact opposite of what I felt. I have never been more humbled. I knew in that very moment that Heavenly Father was so very aware of me. He prompted President Tilleman to call and speak with us that night. I was so humbled at the words that he spoke to us. I knew in that moment, that I was doing what Heavenly Father wanted me to. I felt as though I had not let Him down. Despite massive persectution, I could be proud of my work. President Tilleman will never know how much that phone call meant to me.

Well, I have developed an intollerance to lactose here on my mission. That has been interesting. So this past week I got Almond milk since I have cereal every morning. Well, that stuff is not the greatest in the world. Haha but that's okay, I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has provided a way for us to enjoy things we like without enduring pain after! Although I don't have exactly the things I love still, I am still so grateful that He has made this transition wonderful. Pretty random, I know. But I just thought I would share yet another tender mercy from the Lord.

Well, this week's challenge is one that I hope and pray that you take seriously. I want each of you, old and young, to forgive somebody who you need to forgive. Whatever that means for you, please do it. Pray about them. Pray to Heavenly Father to allow you to see them as He does. He will help. I cannot imagine how excited He must be to hear that prayer. How important it is to forgive our brothers and sisters. I would love to hear any experiences you have with this. But I have prayed fervently and I feel as though this was the message and challenege I needed to share today.

How grateful I am for this Gospel. I bear you my solemn testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom here on the earth. It is true. Joseph Smith was and is the first Prophet of this dispensation. If you want happiness in this life, read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it. The Lord can testify to you that it is true. Because IT IS! I cannot express this enough. It breaks my heart, literally, knowing that some of you reading this have either not yet fonud the truth or have fallen away from it. This is the way to eternal happiness. I am 21 years old, and I don't know a lot. But what I do know, is I would not give up 18 months of my life to devote it to something that wasn't true. It IS true. Please pray and find this out for yourselves. Please email or write me with ANY questions or concerns. Nothing brings me greater joy than helping those around me find this same happiness. I cannot express it clearer - this church is true.

I love you each of you so very much. How grateful I am for you in my life. I pray that the Lord may be with you in times of need, and that you may turn to Him when times are good. He is there. I love you.

Love,

Sister Biggs