January 27, 2014

So this week has been full of random things that happened. So, first off on Tuesday, we saw all this smoke on the mountain, by night time it was a pretty big fire. I was wondering why people were not doing anything about it. I asked a member. So apparently every year it happens. The hunters just light up the mountain to get all the wild pigs, like Javelinas, to go where they want. That's the reason why these mountains really have no trees. I am so happy to live in a place where deforestation is not happening and I can enjoy it like the national parks in AZ.  :)
I ate snake for the first time. It wasn't bad it just had lots of bones. Our neighbor pulled it out of the rice field.
I think this is the best thing that happened this week. MANGOS :)  I eat about 7-8 a day, you just pick them right off the tree. They are soooooo goood :) So Mangatarem in tagalog means Mango(Manga)- the edge of a knife(tarem). Its the most delicious thing ever. We also had a 1 1/2 day brown out this week :) At least it isn't hot :)
Our work is really progressing, we have 2 IBDs now and we are going to build a roof along with the ward for one investigator with an IBD this Friday named Sister B. I have just had so much compassion for this woman the things that she has had to go through. :) I hope nothing goes wrong like the projects me and my dad always did. I am excited to just get out and do a really cool service project:)
I have also had the help of the Lord as I search for new investigators. At the beginning of the week it was looking dim, only 1 real investigator. I had thought I had been to every part of the area because I have been here for so long. But I trusted in the Lord and pleaded for his help. I have found new roads that I had not noticed and new investigators who are truly prepared. I could sit here and write and write about all the things that happened this week but it would take up my whole hour. So this will have to do. Sorry I am not really specific on my stories I am running out of time : )
Till next week :)
Love Elder Bigelow

January 20, 2014

This week was just business as normal. Teaching, finding and sharing my testimony of the Savior. I am going to be in my area for another transfer. Which means I will be here for 6 months. I am happy but also a little sad because I am running out of places to go :P I am so close to the members, well as close as I can to keeping my dignity. I want to tell you about Sister S :) She has an IBD for Feb 22 :) She is so elect :) We found her by referral and she has been following all of her commitments :) She came to Church and just loved it. She received a testimony of the BoM by praying and I know that's the reason why she is progressing :) She is amazing :) It was just one of those weeks where you look at your life and see all the blessings that the Lord gave you. It leaves me breathless.... I am blessed beyond measure. I have really focused on walking in the Saviors footsteps and paying the price to be his disciple and even in just a week I have seen the difference in myself. :) Its amazing what happens while I try to follow his footsteps :) I know that Heavenly Father lives :)

Elder Bigelow

January 13, 2014

Kumusta everyone :)
I have seen miracles this week. Last Sunday we were completely out of investigators. My companion and I fasted and prayed for investigators.  I asked for the members help. They responded and responded well. We have a full teaching pool again because 15 minute member visits are amazing. I have seen the difference in the work because of it. We got 7 referrals and all of them are soooo golden.
I just want to share about S. S is 24 and we found her through a referral. Her husband is less active. The reason why she wanted to listen was to get his personality back. He has just been smoking and drinking and ever since then hasn't been the same. She is very receptive to the spirit and has accepted a baptismal date for February 22. The spirit was sooooo strong in our lessons :)
But this week I have also felt like Ammon and how the Lord puts people in your way to teach. One day while finding I decided to go down a road that I had never been down. It led to 4 houses in the middle of rice fields. On the very last one, we were an answer to a prayer of a lady, named U. She felt the spirit and even started crying so hard. We didn't know what to think. Just how much Heavenly Father's hand is in everything :) Its amazing to me, and all of the blessings of the mission are coming true :)
I have also realized how much the Lord was helping me when I had 2 kids (companions). I always asked Elder Balane for a rating on how my Tagalog is. He said when he first saw me I was about an 8, now I am about a 6. He also said that my Tagalog started getting worse after Elder Taniera left. It made me realize the Lord took my language and strengthened it because he knew I needed it. I would have been way too stressed if I had to do deal with the language too. That is a complete miracle in my life.
My life is just full of fun and miracles :) I have finally started to realize how lucky I am to have an area like I do. Its like a real campout :) Its soooooooo beautiful because I could be stuck in cities :) That would suck  :)

I love my life :) I am becoming Heavenly Fathers best Elder Bigelow :)

January 6, 2014

Happy New Year :)
This week I learned patience pays off :) We had a baptism of Sister E :) The problem is usually I am so obsessed with time and people showing up that I usually don't enjoy it to the fullest. This one was even worse because her husband didn't know if he was going to make it back to the baptism at 5. The worst part was that he was the one doing the baptizing. So they said to us either 4 or 5 or if he doesn't make it then 8...... As a missionary that is frustrating because we always have a plan for every second of the day. Our chapel also doesn't have a font and it is a long drive to the nearest font. How were we going to get work done and not waste our money going back and forth? So, I had this overwhelming calming feeling that everything was going to be ok and that I need not worry. That's what I did. It started at like 6.... But I wasn't worried about the time or anything. It was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have had. I realized that Heavenly Father is in complete control. He knows everything, absolutely everything. There is nothing he does not know. His knowledge will not ever change, unlike parents who change from kid to kid :P ha ha ha joke lang Mom and Dad. It's a joke because I am the oldest. I have seen how each kid gets treated better and better :p ha ha It just showed me I need not worry about the little stuff because HE is in the Details :) I had a great New Years :) Year 2013 changed my life for the better :) But I know 2014 will be even better :) Its going to fly by...... A mission goes by so fast. My companion is doing amazing :) He is such a great missionary right off the bat :) Me and him work :) We are getting spiritually feed ;) :) I am happier than I have ever been :) I love the people so much :) I love, love, love them :) My companion is like your a Filipino because of some of the things that I do. One is eating with a spoon no matter what food is being eaten.  It's cool to learn a new culture :) I love it :)
I am doing well everyone :)
Mahal Kita
Elder Bigelow :)

Just Me!

Latest baptism of Sister E