10/17/2011

This week was a great week! We had three more baptisms! I love being a part of the baptisms because it is like the culmination of all of our hard work, finally coming out into the light! The baptisms went well without any problems, thanks to the help of the Lord.

It is starting to get hot here. I mean really hot. And it doesn´t help that we walk in the street a lot. Dad, I´m afraid that I am going to kick your butt in the tanning contest this year, especially because I get to tan all the way through the winter! ;)

Just like you guys, there isn´t a lot to report on this week. My companion and I got locked out of our pension because the lock was messed up, so we had to kick down the back door and then fix it later. But no worries, we are handymen now and everything is fixed and we didn´t have to pay a cent! Yes, Dad, you can be proud of me :) heheh. Really though, I am a little sad because we have transfers coming up tomorrow night and it is 99 percent sure that my companion is leaving. He has been in this area for 9 months! Way too long. So basically it is guaranteed that he is leaving, so I am going to get my second companion on Wednesday! I´m excited and praying that my new companion is willing to work hard and get down to business! I finished up the new missionary training program yesterday, so I´m officially a ¨full fledged¨ missionary now, according to the unwritten rules of the missionaries. But yes, I am now done and can start taking the lead in everything! I´m so excited!

That is my report for this week! I love you all so much and pray that everything continues to go well! ¨Look up... step up... cheer up!¨ - Elder  Cook from this last conference said that and I really love it. Hugs and kisses to everyone!

Your son and brother,

Elder Michael Biggs

10/12/11 Pictures

The girl I baptized is called Camila. She is 11. Her older sister is Paula. My companion baptized her. :) I love you all. The Lord is literally pouring out His blessings on me and I am so very grateful :)

10/12/11

I cannot express in words the joy that comes from seeing the Gospel change someone´s life!! This week we had the baptisms of two young women, ages 11 and 12. They are so awesome. We started teaching them about a month ago, and they didn´t even know what a prayer was when we started. They barely knew the name Jesus Christ! Now, they can bear their testimonies and pray so well. If I could share with you just a tiny piece of the joy, your hearts would be full!!

Yes, the work here is going so well! As missionaries, we really don´t do anything! Well, we do but we don´t. The Holy Ghost is the big boss on campus in reality. Without him, we are just salesmen, left to use our own talents and abilities to ¨lure¨ people into the church! But the Holy Ghost can change a persons heart. And when the heart changes, the thoughts change. And when the thoughts change, the actions change. It is a step by step process, as described in the scriptures. I´m learning to trust in the Holy Ghost to guide us in the lessons.

I really do love this work! I can´t believe that I´ve been gone for over 4 months! Crazy! Elder de Oliveira and I are having a lot of success together and a ton of fun! When you are obedient and have the spirit, you are going to baptize. And what happens when you baptize? You have fun!  We are going to have 3 baptisms this Saturday the 15. The 3 kids are ages 13, 10, and 8. The dad and the older sister who is 15 are taking a little longer to be ready, but have expressed their desires to be baptized in the near future as well. The mom is a member, but has been less active for like 20 years. But she loves the church now and is so excited to see her husband and kids accept the gospel! When we tell people that the Gospel can bless their families, they just need to look at this family and they will know that it is the truth!

Myself, I am so grateful for a family who is solid in the gospel. I have two parents who love and honor each other and honor their covenants in the temple. My dad is the best father I could ask for and he sets a very high standard and example that I have to strive to achieve. I have the perfect mother. What more can I say than to say ¨I love you mom¨! You are the best :) I have an older sister who is serving right along side of me and fighting for the cause of Zion!! (Go Kat!!! :) ) My younger brother is a stud, and I know that he will be a better missionary that I am! And then there is Dave and Jac, the two peas in a pod with enough energy to launch a rocket! :) Yes Dave, I will watch football with you and play football with you when I get home! Jac, I would love to see you serve a mission!

Give my best to everyone in the ward. Let Matt, Ryan, and Nate know that I am so proud of them for their decision to serve the Lord. In the near future they are going to realize that it will take more energy and heart than anything else they´ve ever done, but the payoff will be greater than anything else as well. I am so proud to be a missionary. I am so proud to be the name of the Lord on my chest, as well as the name of my family. Go BIGGS!!!!!

your son and leader in the Lords army,

Elder Michael Biggs

Update 10/3/2011

Mom,

Of course they took them out and wrecked!! We are boys! It isn´t fun if you don´t get beat up a little ;)

 

I am doing FANTASTIC!! I love this mission!!!!

Yes, we watched all 5 sessions of conference. I watched the first two in Spanish on Saturday, then watched priesthood session and the two sessions on Monday in English. The talk by Elder Holland was my favorite in Priesthood session. You HAVE to read it! It is so powerful and I loved it!!  I really feel so energetic and have a new energy because of conference!  :)

The baptism went really well. We fasted for her last week and seriously, EVERYTHING fell perfectly into place with her. I´ll send the pictures of her baptism. But I really felt the spirit at her baptism and I´m very excited to see her progress in the ward.

We have another two baptisms planned for this weekend. Two sisters are going to get baptized, so they are our number 1 priority this week. The Lord is showering his blessings upon us and is helping us find the people who want to know, and live His gospel.

Not a lot else to report on. The work goes on and I´m glad Katherine made it safely! She is going to do great! Yes, I have the same program that she does, but I terminate in 2 weeks at the end of the transfer!  I´m not sure what is going to happen, but I´m ready for whatever :)

I love you all. I KNOW that this is the work of the Lord and that so many people still need our message. Never give up an opportunity to bless the lives of other people. You never know how much a little smile and hello can do. Be an example of the believers! I love you!!!

Your son,

Elder Biggs