July 15, 2013

Well, this week has been a spiritual feast. I feel terrible that I will have to try and put it into words for each of you. So sorry if the remainder of this email is a littler jumbled - but sometimes spiritual events are for our experience only, and hard to put into words. But I just hope you know that this church is true, and that this week was a testimony of it.

So first things first, I didn't get transferred! And I am still training Sister Hobbs! I was very relieved when the assistants called and told us that. I love Sister Hobbs so much and wouldn't mind working with her for a while. I have prayed diligently these past few weeks for Heavenly Father to give me some experiences that will humble me. Well, I feel a little like President Eyring praying for "mountains to climb". They came! When the assistants called, they also informed me that there would be a new district created and that President has called me to be the District Leader. The First Presidency of the Church have asked Mission Presidents to approve sisters districts to get permission to create them, and to only create them if they are confident they will thrive and are better than a mixed district. Well, I am thoroughly convinced that Heavenly Father gave President Tilleman permission to create this district, solely because I need to be humbled and I am not figuring it out on my own. If you don't humble yourself, He will compel you to be humble :)

I am over Victoria, Sidney, and Salt Spring Island sisters. I have an instant love for each of them and it is incredible. The Lord has helped me to see what I can say at district meeting each week to uplift them. Wednesday will be my first one, and unfortunately the zone leaders will be there just to supervise. No pressure. I guess I better go solely by the Spirit on this one! But I am grateful for the opportunity I have to train these sisters each week, and pray that the Lord will give me strength to magnify my calling.

This past week we had transfer meeting in Richmond on Thursday. There were about 150 missionaries there, along with the 20 new ones that just came in. 12 of which were sisters! (Come on Elders, keep up!) :) I wish I could put into words the feelings we felt at transfers. But for those of you who have served missions, I guess you will understand. What a blessing it is to hear from our beloved mission President and his wife, as well as the other mission leaders. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for allowing me to be a part of this mission. I know I was called here for a purpose. The Spirit confirmed to me over and over throughout the day that this Church is true. It is the Lord's kingdom here on the earth, and cannot be defeated. Just as Joseph Smith states in the Standard of Truth, the world can combine together against the truth, but it will stand. After a spiritually exhausting day, we hit the streets of Richmond to proselyte for a little bit before heading out to White Rock to stay the night. Well, we were able to find a new investigator for the Richmond Elders, which was a miracle in itself. She was a beautiful older woman walking along the sidewalk in front of the church. Every missionary in the parking lot had their eyes on her, but Sister Hobbs and I talked to her first because we were closest :) (People will learn quick to not walk by the church on transfer meeting days if they don't want to hear about the Gospel). She was a lovely woman who has had some difficulties recently in her life. She lives right behind the church and was very welcoming to us talking to her about it. She accepted an invitation to have a church tour the next day with the Elders. The Spirit was so strong as we walked along the busy street in Richmond. God had prepared Helen for us to meet her on the street that day! I pray that all may go well with her journey to find the truth.

Then on Friday, we had our second Sister Conference in Richmond! It was even more amazing than the transfer meeting...if that is at all possible. We were trained by President and Sister Tilleman, as well as Elder Christensen (from the Seventy) and his wife. It was held in the Relief Society room, so I was about 6 feet away from all 4 of them, which was a spiritual experience in itself. Those men are called of God. Elder Christensen trained us on so many things that I wish all you sisters could have been a part of. Heavenly Father loves His daughters. It was a much more casual environment than transfer meeting in the chapel, so we had a lot of fun. President Tilleman was able to show us a new side, and we were able to get some "Momma's Advice" from Sister Tilleman that she says is only for sisters :) I love those two more than I could ever express. I know that I have eternal friends in them. Once again, the Spirit testified to me of the truthfulness of this Gospel. I PLEAD with each of you who have not yet found this out, to read the Book of Mormon. Or email me if you don't want to read it! It breaks my heart knowing that not all of our brothers and sisters on this earth do not want to learn the truth!  We want everyone to live with their Father in Heaven in truth. He WANTS us to return. That is why He has sent 70,000 little children throughout the world wearing black name tags to help bring them back to Him. For you members back home, please find those who want to hear the Gospel.

Sister Hobbs and I sang in church yesterday "Come Thou Fount". It was a wonderful experience - not because of the singing, but because one of our investigators came to church. Barbara, who I have told you about before, finally promised she would come to church to hear us sing. We were so excited. She only stayed for Sacrament meeting, but she said she felt the Spirit very strongly. She could tell I was a little nervous to go up and sing, so she sat next to me holding my hand to calm me down. Tears filled my eyes as Heavenly Father gave me a glimpse of the love that He has for her. He has helped her to find the Gospel at 75 years old, and I hope and pray that we may lead her down the path to baptism. She hugged us after church and asked "So I will see you tomorrow eh?". We smiled and said absolutely! Although it will be a slow process for her, she has read the Book of Mormon every day for a month now. She is in 2nd Nephi and just loves it. That Book is the word of God. No man could have written it.

Yesterday afternoon, Sister Hobbs and I were pleading with our Heavenly Father to help us meet our goal of new investigators this week. We set that goal in faith, and knew that we could accomplish it. We needed only one more before the night ended. Well, we had only one hour left, and we decided to go to a former investigator's house to see if we could teach her. Unfortunately she wasn't available. But we walked back to our car, and saw a woman watering her plants. Prompted by the Spirit, I asked if she needed any help. She graciously accepted - looking exhausted from the heat. We quickly found out that her life was falling apart and that we were an answer to prayers. We spoke with her about the peace that comes from Jesus Christ's Atonement. After praying and setting a return appointment, she was a new investigator who I had instant love for. Heavenly Father had not only answered our prayers, but had answered hers. He loves His children way too much to let them wander around in this life without direction. What a blessing to know that!

Well, this week's challenge is for each of you to write 3 missionaries that you know out in the field. None of them have to be to me, don't worry! I have just heard a lot lately about many missionaries coming home early or getting distracted in the field. Only people who have served missions can understand the difficulty it brings. Certainly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. However, as we have support from back home, it makes life a LITTLE bit easier. Heavenly Father has given us family and friends to be able to help us get through rough times. And well, for 18-24 months, a simple letter is a great way to do that! So, for all you reading this, I know you know at least 3 missionaries in the field, whether you are a member or not. If you don't, then ask a neighbor, they can give you an address. You have no idea what a letter from home means in the field. Just a simple way to show your love.

I hope you know how much I love each one of you. I am grateful for your support and prayers - they are certainly felt out here in Canada. I hope and pray that you may all gain your personal witness of the Book of Mormon. How can you know a book is true unless you read it? You cannot. But I promise you that as you read it, that the Holy Ghost will bear witness to you that it is true. It changes lives, and it will change yours as you allow it. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Biggs