Sister Ashlyn Biggs: called to serve the Lord in the Canada Vancouver mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thursday, May 9, 2013

May 7, 2013


What a miracle-filled week we have had. I know I say that often, but even I stand all amazed at the miracles the Lord allows me to witness. I hope to be able to stand worthy of them when I meet my Maker face to face one day.

Some housekeeping things first - I will be calling Mother's Day and I want to apologize that I won't get to talk to everybody I want to! We need to keep the calls to 40 minutes or less, and I want to be sure and talk to my family. But I hope each of you know how much I love you, and I would love to hear from  you through email or letters since I cannot talk to everybody then!

Also, next week we will be having a zone conference on Tuesday, and then President Tilleman is coming down to Oliver to meet with some of our investigators. So we will not be emailing until Wednesday. Just to keep that in mind!

Well, there have been some changes here in the mission this week, and in missions throughout the world. For 50 years it has been a tradition to have the missionaries over for dinner. Well, things are changing now. We are only going to be going to dinner appointments if there are non member or less active members present. We must be focusing 100 perent on the work, and this will certainly help. We could not be more excited about. This will encourage members to invite their friends over if they want to feed us! We are very excited because we won't be spending an hour a night with members when we could be out teaching the Gospel at that time. I am so excited!

We have already seen a miracle from it. We usually go eat every Sunday at my Branch President's house. But this week we had to tell them that we couldn't. So we ate in the church, having a very difficult time with leaving them behind like that. But also knowing that we would be blessed and that this would let members do missinoary work. Well, only minutes after we finished eating, we went and saw Fawn, a woman we have been trying to see ever since I got to the area. She is a daughter of a less-active member. Well, after months of trying, she finally let us in her door. She was delighted to see us. We talked and talked and she opened up her feelings regarding religion and the church. She became a new investigator THAT NIGHT. I cannot express the excitement I felt as I knew that the Lord had opened up the windows of Heaven to us so soon after being exactly obedient to the counsel He has given this mission. I was continually reminded of Praise to the Man - "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven". And it sure does, my brothers and sisters. It sure does.

While we were walking from Fawn's house to another investigator's house, we saw to men walking toward us. We spoke to them and I could tell they did not understand. They were both Mexican, so I began speaking Spanish with them. Their eyes lit up and they began to smile as I spoke to them about Jesus Christ. They asked if they could come to church on Sunday and if we could give them our number. I couldn't even believe the things I was saying. The Lord has loosened my tongue to be able to speak to people in Spanish whenever I need to. I have witnessed the gift of tongues so many times thus far, and I hope to continue to see it unfold!

When we were on exchanges this past week, Sister Tutt and I stopped by somebody's house who was a potential investigator from the members. I felt strongly about them. Well, they let us right in. His name is George and his mother's name is Rose, and BOTH became investigators that very night. They are so excited for us to come back and teach them the Gospel. They want to learn more and I feel so strongly that they will accept the truth. I cannot wait!!

Well, now for one of the best news of all...after 40 years of smoking like a chimney, Robin quit smoking on Saturday!!! We have been praying so incredibly hard for him. In order to be baptized on May 25th as he wants to be, he needed to be done smoking by Saturday. Well, he sure was. He says he is done for sure. Unfortunately, he has been bed ridden ever since because of the withdrawals and sickness he feels. But he says it is all worth it. He says he will go through anything to do the will of the Lord. He cannot wait to be baptized. Every time we meet somebody in that area, they go "Oh ya, Robin is a Mormon. He is telling everybody". Haha he is going to be the greatest member missionary ever!! I cannot believe how incredible this man is! President Tilleman will be giving him his baptismal interview next Tuesday. I pray that May 25th will be the day that Robin enters into the waters of baptism!!

This past Sunday I finished the Book of Mormon again. I began reading it in the begining of February, and just finished it. This is the first time I have REALLY read it while studying its words and pondering on what it is saying. Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you that it is true. I can now say that I have read every single word and every single page in the Book of Mormon, and it is true. I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that it is true. I pray that you will do your part to come to the same knowledge. I am now going to be starting it over, and hopefully will be able to read it a couple times through here in the field!

Well, for this week's challenge, it goes along with a quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. "Each of us will have our own Fridays - those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death - Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come." What a great quote by an incredible Apostle of the Lord. My challenge to you is this - when you kneel down at night to pray to your Heavenly Father, thank Him for everything that you have, before you begin asking Him for things. Even if it was your "Friday", the Lord is preparing you for those incredible blessings. He WANTS to open the windows of heaven to you. Allow Him to. Pray that you will have the strength and humility to recognize those blessings. And I promise you, He will unfold them to you.

I love you all so much. I appreciate your support and prayers. They are well felt here in Canada. I pray that this week brings you missionary opportunites, and that you take advantage of them. I love you, and have a great week!

Love,

Sister Biggs

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