February 24, 2014

A Week That Has Changed Me

This week has been amazing. It has helped me get refueled to endure. I have for the past 11 months of my mission tried to make my mission what I have wanted it to be. I acknowledged the Lord that I needed his help but I was hard headed and still tried to do things on my own. To be honest, I am still struggling with the language. Not in the sense that I am getting sad, but just that I want to be better. I have prayed and prayed for the gift of tongues and it just hasn't come. I have always wanted more. Things haven't been what I wanted. Even in my prayers, I just have that kind of attitude that I am going to take control of things and they have to be my way. Sometimes not relying on Heavenly Father. It gradually made its way to being ungrateful for everything that I have been given. Even though I had a baptism coming up, I wanted more.  But this week changed it. I knew what I had to do, give myself up completely to his will. I fasted and prayed for help to be grateful. It came with the baptism of Sister Sheila. I think this baptism has helped me grow the most. I felt the spirit and even more about what kind of work I am doing.  An answer also came last night. I happened to run into the only real atheist I have met in the Philippines. I am so grateful for the gospel and the direction it has given me in my life. Unlike him, I know my life has a purpose. I am doing more for the people. The humanitarian work is important because Christ changes things from the inside out, but the world changes from the outside in. I am changing people. They can then change their surroundings to make a better life style for them and others.  I am so grateful for everything that has happened in my life. I have given Jesus Christ the reigns for my mission. He will make it much better than I can on my own. This whole experience has helped me grow closer unto my Savior, Jesus. I am grateful for everything. Its been hard, but rewarding. I have sooo many more blessings and experiences on the way :) He will give me everything. Even the gift of tongues :) If I pray and fast hard enough for it :)
I have changed and taken steps towards my Heavenly Father :)
Love,
Elder Bigelow

 The pitfalls of walking in the rice fields.

 Here is another, Where's Holden?

 My new white Caraobou belt.

February 17, 2014

So this week I have learned some things. 

1) I miss hard work that makes me sweat. I miss doing projects around the house. It has taught me how to work :) I can not wait to get back and just do projects around the house. It has taught me to be self reliant. 

2) I have really come to understand the need for the Atonement. We can not save ourselves. We needed someone who was not subject to the curse of the fall of Adam and that was Jesus Christ. He suffered for each individual. My investigators, the ward members here and each and every one of you reading this letter right now. Use it in your life. Its the best feeling ever to repent. I do every night :) It makes me a better person. I have came to the reality that I am so small compared to the scheme of things but yet I have a huge part in the whole Plan of Salvation. I  have a strong, strong testimony of Christ's life. He lived and this week it has been just strengthened. 

We have a baptism coming up this Saturday. :) Sister S :) I promise I will get a picture soon. I have been terrible about taking pictures these past 2 weeks because I have been here forever. This might be my last week here in  Bantocaling.... I am sad about it because Elder Balane and I have gotten so close. He is like my Brother in a diffrent Country. :) I have also seen the effect of working with the leaders. So, any missionaries getting ready to go do not overlook the leaders they are there for you. You can not do this work on your own. You need the help of the members. 

I guess here is a picture. I love taking these :) 

Love Elder Bigelow

February 10, 2014

So this week is just full of miracles again. 

We had an investigator try and drink coffee but she said it was like poison to her mouth. She spit it out and threw up.  She said it was a real answer to her prayers. It surprised me because I had never seen or heard anything like that. It was a testament to me that 1) That the WOW is true and 2) that Feb 22 is the date for her baptism :) Cool expericence there :) 

I just want to share one experience how Heavenly Father blessed my life by not giving me what I wanted. Ever since I have gotten to the Mangatarem area, I have wanted to go to the zoo here. I have never been able to go on P-Days because of our travel to Lingayen for zone studies. Our branch had an activity to the zoo but it was on a Saturday morning during studies. We asked our leaders if we could go because we had many investigators going. They told us no because we had to study. I was a little sad but I knew their answer was coming from the Lord. We had great studies and come to find out, when the branch arrived there was no animals, they moved it to a different spot. It was a real answer to me. I found out a lot about who I was and a lot more about my loving Heavenly Father :)

I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father this week. My prayers have become talks and not just rote sayings. I am just always in his presence. That's when the most trials come. Its been hard this week. 

I just want you to know that, I know that Jesus Christ is real. He knows me and you. I stand as his witness at all times and all places :)  We all can :)  You can receive that knowlege for yourself. We are not confined to olden scriptures or testimony of him. Or, even latter day information through Joseph Smith and many others. You can receive a personal answer, the heavens are open :) I know they are :) I have received that witness :) I will never be the same because of it :) I know He lives :) 

Love

Elder Bigelow

Have a Happy Valentine's Day :) 

And I just saw a little glimpse but GO TEAM USA :) I am proud to be an American :)  

February 3, 2014

Kumusta Everyone :)
This week has been one like always - full of miracles :) I guess the biggest one was that I started the ball rolling for a service project for an investigator :) Her name is Sister B and she is just having a really, really hard time with life. She got kicked out of her house and had to build a new one, but never got the roof finished. Its almost rainy season and just it would have been bad. I can not believe how much help the branch gave us. They coordinated it all after I put it into their hands. It goes to show how hard work and building a relationship with your bishop can really pay off. I didn't get to do the hard stuff in the project which made me sad because I was in proselyting clothes. Its more and more of a miracle every time I think of it. She has given up coffee and everything because she knows that Joseph Smith is a real prophet. Her baptism is going to be in March - hopefully :) We also have a baptism coming at the end of the Month on Feb 22 :) I am so excited :) We have just been working hard and time flew by so fast this week :) Still eating mangos and watching fires every night. I went golfing for the first time in 10 months :) Oh I guess thats something that happened. I hit ten months last week :) Its flying by soooo fast :) Other than that nothing really happened :) Life is great :) its hard but we just keep smiling :) I am doing good just in case anyone is wondering :)
Love
Elder Bigelow