January 6, 2014

Hello from the most beautiful place on earth!!! I hope you all had an awesome new year's week. I cannot believe it is January already. My year mark is on Thursday, and that makes me sick to my stomach!! As the hymn states, "I Have Work Enough to Do" :)

This week was such a wonderful week in so many ways. I will try to share a few experiences.

I cannot remember if I wrote about James and Jen calling me last week. They are my investigators from my last area who were preparing for baptism (The ones from Thailand). James called me, and said that their 1 1/2 year old Bella had a stroke the day after Christmas and she is in intensive care. He asked if I could immediately come visit her over in Vancouver. He told me that whenever I came over, Bella would pay attention to me more than to anything else. He told me that if I sung to her, she could probably be healed! It broke my heart to hear about her stroke. A 1 year old having a stroke?? Never heard of that before! But her right side hasn't moved still in a couple weeks, and her brain is not recovering properly. I went to visit her last week with President's permission. That was such a sacred experience that I will share with my journal only for now. But yesterday we fasted for Bella, along with many other missionaries that I have asked to do so. Although she is still in intensive care, James text yesterday and said out of no where, her right side has slight movement, she can eat a little bit, and she can say a couple of words again!! Brothers and sisters, what a miracle fasting and prayer is!! And I know without a doubt that it was all because of James and Jen's faith. They are not even sure if there is a God or not, but they know that we believe in one. And they have never prayed so hard in their lives, I am sure. I will keep you updated on her progression, but the doctor's said if she is healed it will be a miracle. Please keep her in your prayers.

Next I just wanted to say how grateful I am for members who keep their baptismal covenants!! At baptism, we covenant to "Always remember Jesus Christ". Well, in order to always remember Him, and to "take upon ourselves the name of Christ", we must invite others to come unto him. It is the only way! 3 days ago, we got a call from a member in the ward - "Can you sisters come over for dinner on Sunday? I am inviting my friend over to meet with you. She has already agreed to have you teach her the plan of salvation". What? That doesn't happen everyday. Except for 15 minutes later we got a phone call from another member - "Hey I know you are coming over to my house tomorrow, would you mind coming with me to my neighbors house? She is a less-active and her husband is not a member. I want you to teach them." Say what?? Then, Bishop Prasad says, "Hey sisters, can you stop by my work tomorrow? I want to introduce you to one of my employees. I have already told her all about you and she has agreed to meet with you". Brothers and sisters, these 3 members, along with so many others here in the Surrey 3rd ward, they GET IT. They understand the Lord's work. They understand that their baptismal covenant involves inviting others to come unto Christ. I hope and pray that each of us may do the same!!

This week's challenge is to introduce somebody to the missionaries!!! This work cannot be done without the 15 million members throughout the world. I cannot beg you enough, as a representative of Jesus Christ. PLEASE invite everybody to come unto Christ!!!!

I want each of you to know that I know my Savior lives. I know He is so very aware of my circumstances. He knows my strengths and my weaknesses, and gratefully through Him my weaknesses can be made into strengths. I love Him with all my heart, and I cherish the few moments I will have in my life to be set apart as a representative of Him. As I literally take His name upon my chest, I hope to represent Him worthily. I will FOREVER stand as a defender of Christ. We meet hundreds of people each day who hate the name of Jesus Christ. We meet even more who hate us as His representatives. Brothers and sisters, what a testimony to me that He lives. For the adversary knows that He lives and knows that Jesus Christ is the only way back to our Father. So he will do all that he can to be able to steer people away from Him. I don't care if I have doors slammed in my face and things thrown at me for the rest of my life - for I am a defender of Jesus Christ. He lives, and this is His Church.

Love,

Sister Biggs