We love General Conference around our house. No, we aren't perfect at watching it, and often there are more than a few of us napping. Perhaps we might even be driving home from a soccer game listening to it, but we try our hardest to listen to the words of our Prophets. This weekend was a great weekend where everything just fell into place. We were all watching conference when both Rob and I got different emails from Elder Bigelow! I contemplated sharing them as they are pretty personal, but I want him to have a record when he gets home of all his mission, so here it goes...
Dear Mom,
Hey I don't know if you are watching conference right now. But Elder
Holland had a great talk. If you didn't watch it. Read it tonight! And
I just wanted to say that I love you so much and am grateful for all
you have done for me. You have been there when I needed it most. You
have done more for me then I could repay. I know I wouldn't have made it out
here without you. You have prepared me for this in ways that I didn't
think would help me. You have taught me how to work hard, how to
respect others, how to have fun but also keep the spirit, how to bring
the spirit into a conversation, how to share personal experiences in a
way that the spirit can testify of the truth of which you share. You
have taught me love the Lord and to pray with my heart. I realize you
are probably crying by now. But it's ok. I am too. This talk has hit
me harder than any I have heard yet. It has opened my eyes to just a
fraction of what you have done for me. And I just thought I could take
a minute and say thank you. I love you and wish I could give you a hug
right now. I really miss your hugs. Next time you are having a rough
time feeling like you may have failed as a mother or that you are lost
and don't know what to do. Realize you have already done so much for
me and the rest of your kids. The ones you gave birth to and and the
ones who just came into our house and try to be part of our family. I
second the concluding words of Elder Holland (I didn't get them down
while he said them. But I second the motion)
I love you mom, all the way to the moon and back
Love, Elder Bigelow
Hey Dad,
There was a story about fathers in general conference. I just
wanted to take a sec and say thanks for all you have done. I know you
have had a rough go and you have struggled. But you have also shown me
more then you know. You have taught me patience. And that has already
helped me so much out here. I didn't think the patience was such a big
deal. But it is. It has blessed me. You have also showed me the
importance of working hard. There are not many people who work as hard
as you. You have taught me how to work hard too. There are a lot of
lazy missionaries out here. And it drives me crazy. But it's because of
how they were raised. They don't know how to get up early and start
working. They don't know how to drop everything and serve someone in
need. They don't know how sometimes you might need to stay up late.
Sacrifice some sleep to get the job done. I am so grateful for this.
It is helping me every day.
You have also taught me how to feel the spirit. I loved having you as
my priest advisor. You have lived a life where you have come to the
truth on your own. You know what it is like not to have the spirit in
your life and now you strive to follow it. When you began to testify
in lessons about when you felt the spirit again everyone could feel it
and they know that you love the gospel so much and you would give
everything for it. I know how much you love the Lord and your family.
I hope I can be as good of a father as you are. Next time you feel
like you might be failing as a parent realize that you have taught me
so much and helped me so much to be a better person. I couldn't have
made it out here with out. I love you dad.
Love, Elder Bigelow
Wow... I know both Rob and I feel like we lucked out with our children. They are raising us!!! Elder Hales had one of my favorite quotes of conference. "I didn't raise my children on money, I raised them on FAITH."
So grateful as the days goes by and we miss our "little" boy for mom and day paydays like this!!!
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