March 9, 2015 - I am coming home

Well to be honest, I am tired and I don't want to write a long message right now. I have a lot things going through my mind right now. I really want to take the time to think about how to express my feelings in a letter. I am at a loss of words on how to describe my feelings. My mind has not even comprehended that I am coming home.
I love the Lord. He is ready to help you through anything. I know that and nothing can take me away from that knowledge.
Till we meet again. :) Which should be soon :)
Elder Bigelow

March 2, 2015

Well to be honest this letter is going to probably be short. This week was just straight missionary work :) This was my last full week, I think, :( I don't want too.... 

I am so torn. Its the worst feeling. I finally feel like I love the People and the food and the Philippines :) and now its all coming to an end. But I am changed :) 

This week the work was hard, for 3 days the work was rough. Punted all day. There was a day where we only had 1 lesson. Its hard on me. I always thought the the last of the mission would be a breeze. NOT !!!!!!! Its rough. But I am still being exactly obedient and going strong :) We met a part member family who came to church with their 2 daughters named Y and K :) I was happy about that :) but yesterday was my last Sunday in Dag 6 because next week we have Stake Conference... So yep I gave my testimony :) I bore down in pure testimony :) It was powerful. I also used the advice of my Aunt :) "Stop and Smell the Roses " :) There was a pause for about 30 secs... It was the worst feeling, I didn't want to have to say goodbye :) Lately because of how hard the work has been, I get down on myself. When that happens, faces of people and conversations pop into my mind when I was able to help people who wanted it :) It always brings a smile to my face :) I have found that everlasting happiness that people talk about :) Its taken me a while but its come :) I love the Lord :) He is my light and my life :) Our life doesn't mean anything if we don't serve him :) He will make you who you need to be :) 

I love him :) I really do :) He is my best friend, even though sometimes, I don't give enough of my effort to talk to him :) I love him :) 

Hope this letter inspires you to read and pray to really "Know Jesus Christ" :) 

By the Way, I am loving Mango season  :) Its my favorite :) Mango shakes are the Best :) I am going to miss it :) 

Elder Bigelow

February 23, 2015

Things are going way to fast for my liking. This week was one of the fastest I have ever experienced on my mission. We had zone interviews. I love the time I get to spend around President Monahan. He is one of the best examples to me :) I am so blessed that he is my President. We talked about how planning is a godly attribute :) It is so true :) I went on exchanges with my best friend Elder Howell :) Its not a coincidence that we have been following each other around the whole mission :)  I learned a lot :) The work picked up a bit this week and we were able to find 11 new investigators. We are really helping the ward come up with their own ideas on how to help their ward. That way it will stick, and not just fade away after we leave :) I am working hard and will until the second I get released. I love the work. I know that faith is a real power :) I can do anything when I have the spirit :) 

Sorry, this emails really vague..... I dont have to many new things happening :)

I love you.

Elder Bigelow 

February 16, 2015 - Manila

Well everyone :) I went to Manila this week. We got up at 5 and got back at 9:30. It made for a long day but It was super fun :) Manila reminded me of Phoenix. I miss the city but I am glad I am assigned where I am. We went to do finger printing for a visa. It was weird seeing so many white people in one place. I don't know what to expect when I get home.

We got to visit the temple (for only like 5 min though).  It's actually super small. I miss the temple a lot. The feeling at the temple is unlike any other feeling I have felt in a while :)
We had Subway :) The smell was delicious and the food was even better :) We got to go to Krispy Kreme :) I miss subs  :) 

This week, we found a part member family :) The dad pretty much said teach my daughter :) We taught that the Lord wants families. He ended up coming to Church :) 

On the bad side, the IBD's that we had that were supposed to get baptized the Saturday before I leave are moving... So I am not going to see anymore baptisms on my mission. I made a goal to help at least one more person come unto Christ even though I might not get to see their baptism :) 

Anyway :)
I love you all :) 

I am out of time :)

Elder Bigelow

February 9, 2015

Well, this week nothing really exciting happened. The work has been a little struggle, because of the upcoming fiesta here in one of our barangays (neighborhoods). I am excited for it because everyone cooks here. I would compare it to a huge block party. Its affected our work because everyone was getting ready for it and they had no time for church...... 

I know that its a huge blessing to be healthy. I am so blessed for my health because this week I was not able to work as much as I should have due to something I ate.... Yeah it wasn't fun but I am healthy and happy again :) 

We were still able to find 7 new investigators this week. One of them was a miracle. We ran out appointments yesterday and we started visiting members to go see if they have neighbors. We went to this old man's house, I asked our fellow-shipper, why we were there. We walked in and sat down. It was just him,but we asked if he had anyone else at the house that he could invite. He walked into the backroom, and got his grandson. He was elect. After the fellow-shipper said, "Wow we were really guided by the spirit to come here huh?" It's a miracle that we found him. Heavenly Father's hand is in all things. I have a testimony of that. I know that He lives. If one really studies the scriptures he will find that we have the truth :) And that GOD LIVES :) I know that without a doubt. :) 

I am excited because I get to go to the temple grounds this upcoming week, due to fingerprinting. It will be my first time to see a temple in a long time :) 

Sorry that this weeks letter is bland. Nothing too exciting happened.

I love all of you :) 

Elder Bigelow

February 2, 2015

Welcome Everyone to the Last Transfer Cycle of my mission... :( 

First things first :) I get to "die" in my favorite area so far :) Yep, I get to "die" in the fish capitol of Pangasinan which is Dagupan. I do have a new companion, Elder Macalindong. If you remember way back in July, I was actually assigned with him for 5 days. So things are great between us :) 

But sad news, one of our investigators failed his interview..... and cannot get baptized till later (to all of you asking why until later :p Don't ask questions, its just like that :P )  I know that he will continue to stay active :) He is a stud :) 

Things are going good. We have been finding. It always amazes me how the Lord is in all the details. When a lesson falls through we are always led to a part member family or a less active member who needs our help. :) The spirit and the Lord are amazing :) This week we happened to find a part member family who has 4 kids and a husband that are not yet members :) Its so nice to see when your life is being used by Heavenly Father to bless His Children. As Elder Holland says,"Its a work, and its a wonder, and its wonderful and YOU are at the Heart of that Wonder." :) Missionary work is the best :) Yes, I make jokes about wanting to be home but deep down inside I want to do this work forever. I do not want to leave this people. They are so nice. 

I Love the work :) 

I hope all of you are preparing for a mission :) You need to prepare before you go :) 

Hope all of you are doing great :) 

Love, 

Elder Bigelow :) 

January 26, 2015

Just another week :) 

This week has been a normal one for me. Saving souls and all :) I want to share an experience in which I was lead by the Holy Ghost. Our area is one long road and that is it. On the long road, some people's jobs are cracking open oysters and they are on the side of the road everyday. We walk past them multiple times each day. But one of those times, I had a feeling that we needed to talk to them. We did! This led us to finding a whole family and then it turns of that her parents are less active and she has some sisters that are not baptized yet. So, just through following the spirit we found not only 1 but many :) Also, not by coincidence found another sister. She said that she was here on a vacation from Manila. She was super hesitant during the lesson and it seemed to me like she could care less. After the not so best lesson, we asked her when we could come back. She told us the next day. She was there and ready to listen. The spirit told me there was something more on her mind and directed me to ask inspired questions. It turns out that she is having family problems and has been praying fervently for help. We are her answer. Its the best feeling knowing that Heavenly Father answers people's prayers through me as a missionary. Even though I did not know that sister, we were there to help. When people pray and say that we are angels that Heavenly Father has sent to them, it inspires me! People here are so nice. :) We are going to have a baptism next week. :) (If I do not get transferred.) Hopefully, I get to stay here, I love it here too much. 

I hope that you young men and young women are really preparing yourselves. Preparation does not just mean going to a mission prep class but it means becoming a missionary before you get in the field. Get lost in the scriptures and change your lives. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT! It's worth it to change your music and stop doing things that you know are wrong. It's something that I wish I would have known before. There is a big difference between the ones that prepare and ones that don't. I was in between and I wish I would of prepared more. Please Prepare :)

Hope you all are doing well :) 

Love, 

Elder Bigelow