Week 22 - Winter finally hit, and it hit hard!

Well this has been a pretty eventful week to say the least. It has
snowed for days here. We got called to our apartment Friday night and
told not to leave until 6 the next night. And my companion broke his
ankle Friday night. Saturday night we got the clear to go out. And we
wanted to go to our dinner appointment. So we threw Elder Skousen on
our backs. And trudged through snow up to our mid thighs so we could
get to our dinner. I am pretty sure that we were getting a little sick
of hot pockets and hanging out in out apartment. So that's why we
went. It was about a half mile through the back roads. It was pretty
crazy. But it was fun. We were laughing all the way to dinner.
 
Then Sunday came and we spent the day shoveling out people. Our phone
was ringing all the time with people requesting service. There was no
way we could get them all out. We just helped as many people as we
could and called it good. We finally got the clear to drive today. But
only for p-day hours. So that's a little progress. School is still out.
It has been out since last Thursday. It was like nothing I have ever
seen before. But it is great. There are so many people that need
service. And when you are there and willing to help it makes a huge
difference to them. And it really means a lot to them. We helped a
couple Christian ladies that were awesome and they are willing to listen
to us because they think highly of us. And they realized that we were
blessings their lives. I hope something good comes from it. But I
know that the seeds have been planted!

Hope you all have a great week! Don't be afraid to serve 
those around you. You can and will be a blessing in their lives!

Love, Elder Bigelow 

Carrying Elder Skousen to a dinner appointment so we didn't have to stay home that night.  The other three of us took turns and carried him almost a mile.

About ten hours into the storm.

We are all going stir crazy!!!  Elder Bishop, Elder Haddon, Elder Skousen and Elder Bigelow

Digging out!

More digging out!

Elder Skousen's ankle...no more backflips for awhile!

My Old Zone... before transfers last Thursday.  Top Bigelow. Poulsen, Bunn, Leishman, Tapusoa, Bishop, Grace, Chan, Merrill, Ma, Bottom Teples, Jones, Sanders, Timothy (in my jacket), Blanchard, Franko, Edwards, Sis. Kelly, Sis Moore, Sis. Hardmen, Sis. Malafou, Sister and President Huntsman

 

 

Week 21 - Cat 1 Missionaries 0

Hey everyone,

   Hope you had a good week. Mine was pretty good. Funny story to
start off.  We knocked on this lady's door before Christmas.  She said
she had talked to missionaries before. But then she just stopped for
some reason. She answered and told us she was super busy and that we
should come back after New Years. She seemed super nice. And we were
like sweet. This will be awesome.  Anyways we stopped by again this week.
And she was like sorry guys I am super busy right now, maybe later.
And just then this black cat goes running right by her foot out the
door to the outside world. And she screams right in our ear "oh gosh".
So we were like don't worry. We will catch your cat. I have never
really tried to catch a cat.  I thought. Man. I have caught many an
animal in my day. Pigs, chickens, ducks, a raccoon, sheep, dogs.  I
am well trained in the art of catching animals.  Don't worry lady. We
will get you your car.  Well we tried the cornering technique. That
didn't work. So we tried the whistle and kissy technique. That didn't
work either.  I didn't think the lady would appreciate us throwing a
blanket over it or anything like that, so we didn't do that. But man
this cat did not want to be caught. So we started following it.
Thinking maybe it would come to us. But no, instead it jumped on this
fence and was in someone else's back yard. So we watched it. And it
went from one fenced off back yard to the other.  After a little while
we lost the cat. It went under some porch and we couldn't see it. So
we decided to go back and tell the lady, "We couldn't catch your cat."
We go back. And she was pretty mad.  I think she was mad at us. Which
was weird. We only tried to help get the cat.  We wished her luck and
moved on. Cat 1 missionaries 0.
 
Here is a miracle we had this week. So we have this one family in the
ward. They are the best. They are super missionary minded. And they
actually walk the walk. So we have been promising members at dinner
appointments that of they will pray every morning and night about who
needs to hear what they love the most about the gospel. That they will
get and answer.  And we invited them to do this. And it worked. We got
a text the other day saying, "Elders, we did what you said and we invited
some people over. It's a family. And they are coming this Sunday." And
then she said, "oh and I gave away two copies of the Book of Mormon
today." (That's how great they are). So we are like sweet. Sunday
dinner and a lesson. So we go to dinner and there are a couple member
families there too. Great Mormon environment.  So we have dinner. Mingle
a little bit. And then it is time for our spiritual message.  And we
share the video "moments that matter most". And we start talking about
it. Some people chime in. And then, the husband says something. And I
am like sweet. They are involved. And then the wife does too. She
says, "Man, that's what I needed to hear.  I am kinda nervous about
this whole foreign service thing." And it was awesome. They said they
wanted to come to church this week. And it was a great lesson. I know
that the lord answers prayers. And when we are willing to ask and then
act on what we feel. Miracles will happen right I front of our eyes.
And we will grow so much.
 
And here is a lesson I learned this week. I actually learned this from
an investigator that we were are not even teaching. We ran into him on
the street. And the other elders are teaching him. He told us he was
about to go home and read the chapter the elders had assigned to him
and he was going to get down on his knees and pray about it.  And then
he went on to say that he feel like the Lord answered his prayers when
he was down in the dumps. But not as much when he is doing fine. But
then he said, "I think it is because when I am having a rough time I
realize that I need him. And my prayers are more meaningful, more
sincere." I thought that that really makes sense. That when you are
sincere. And really what to know. And pray from your heart. That is
the best.
 
I know that prayer is real. And that there is someone up above that
really hears and answer our prayers. He want to he from us.  I love
you guys. Hope you have a good week coming up.

Love, Elder Bigelow

The cat that couldn't be caught!

(Mom note... I received these pictures bright and early Monday morning (5:15 Utah time) with the caption, "My email might be a little late this morning...Elder Sanders and I are locked out of our apartment."  He and Elder Sanders went to play basketball and came home to the doors locked and the other missionaries asleep... We checked the weather...it was 17 degrees in Falls Church at 7:15am...Yikes!)

Week 20 - Wallets, Prayers and Real Miracles

Hey everyone,

       Man, the first whole week in the new year. How has it been? I hope

you are all doing well. I am. This week has had a couple miracles in

it. And I am super happy about them. First one, probably the biggest one,

was I lost my wallet. Like lost lost. Completely gone. Searched my

whole apartment. Talked to the stake president and had him tell the

bishops to look out for it. It was completely gone. So I prayed of

course. And I didn't worry too much. I thought it would be found. But

as the week progressed I got more and more nervous.  I was really, really

worried. How would I get groceries. And how would pay for a hair

cut and all these things that need to happen. So I asked my dad to

cancel my debit card. And to send me out a new copy. So I would have

some money for next week. I would have to get a new I.D. And a new

mission driving card.  And a new church fund card. Anyways it was

going to be a pain. And I would probably loose a bunch of money in

cash and gift cards that I had. But then I got an email from my dad

saying that someone had contacted my grandpa. All the way back in

Pleasant Grove.  My Grandpa that is one of the only men on earth

to still have a land line listed in the phone book. And he has the

same name as me and almost the same address.  (We live next door to

each other.) The caller told him that someone in the park in Falls Church

turned it into the police department. And so we went down to the police

station. And I got it back!  It was so great. Everything was there. The cash,

the cards, My id, Everything! It was sweet!  And I really feel like that

was a miracle.

     And then some other things that happened this week. It was in the

matter of about two hours. We handed out 4 copies of the Book of

Mormon. And we taught one lesson on the street. It was awesome. I love

it when we just find the people. It was so cool. It felt like everyone

we talked to was nice. And would listen. Or at least be polite when

they rejected us. It felt so nice to find some new people. And to

notice some good seeds being planted.

    I love it when people say, "You're lucky you ran into me. I am

usually a work right now" or something.  Because I know it means we

were in the right place at the right time. And that we need to talk to

that person.

I hope you all had a great week. I have. I love Virginia. I love all

the stuff I am learning.  And I love the people out here. I look back

at the 4 months I have been here. And I have made some friends that I

hope to stay in contact with forever.  I really feel like they are

part of my family. They don't replace my family back at home, but they

come close. And they really care about me.

Love, Elder Bigelow

Elder Bigelow and Elder Poulson (Nampa, Idaho) investigating Chinatown today for P-day.

Roast duck...hmmm, maybe I will! 

Week 19 - Never to be content where I am

Hey everyone,
I hope you had a great year! Mine has been pretty great. A lot has
happened in the last year. I don't think I realized last new year that
I could be out here for this new year. But hey, I am here. And it is
pretty sweet! You are probably wondering what a missionary does on New 
Year's Eve? They can't really go out and party. And it is hard to teach
because everyone else is going out to party. So we actually get to
have a party in our own way. We went to the church and we watched a
movie and played a bunch of board and card games. It was actually sure
fun and a nice break. It was fun to just relax a bit and to be around
other missionaries who were relaxing too.
So now that it is a new year it is time for some change. You know
resolutions and stuff. This time next year I want to be able to look
back and see how I have grown. I want to be a better missionary. I
don't want to be afraid of rejection. I know it seems a little silly.
But I need to be more bold. And if they reject it they reject it. But
it's not that big of a deal. And it won't waist time on people who
aren't interested. That is my biggest resolution. And my next one is
to set little achievable goals that will help to push me towards
larger goals. I think that will help me to see more success and to be
more motivated. I am excited for this new year and new beginning. I am
excited to see what 2016 has in store for me!
This week was pretty good. We have been starting to meet with
the people that told us to come back after New Years. And that is
awesome because we are getting more people to teach. And we are
working hard. I love it out here. I am living the dream as they say.
I hope you all had a great week. Love you all. 

Elder Bigelow

Except from Elder Bigelow's letter to the family this week...

This week was fun though.  New Years was sweet. We watched The Best Two Years and we played some card games and just kinda hung out. It was nice to be around missionaries and not be uptight. It kinda reminded me when people would come over to our house for a movie and we could just laugh. It was super nice.  I am learning a lot out here. And when you are on your own. If you want something you have to go get it. All that wishing something will happen doesn't work. You need to get up and do it. Get up and get to work. You think you are gaining weight. Quit eating so much junk and so much food. Just slow down a little and work out. If you want to lean more about the Atonement take some time and study about it.  If you want to be a more successful missionary study preach my gospel and get out and work. If you want to have faith that miracles will happen choose to have faith and go out and find some miracles.  It's all up to us. Nothing is handed to us. 

That's what I learned this week. It's a new year so choose to be better. And that's my goal. It to be better. Never to be content where I am. The next time I want to be content with where I am is when I am on the plane ride home in 20 months. (Oh yea I hit 4 months!) but I feel like if I try to get better every day until then, then it will be okay for me to relax and be happy when I am. 

Sorry I don't have any pictures to send you this week. I promise I will have some next week. Oh and if you are looking for a fun card game get skip-bo. I am pretty sure it is my favorite.

Week 18 - New Christmas Traditions

Hey everyone,
       I sure hope you had a good Christmas! I sure did.  For
Christmas and Christmas Eve we went to some members' houses. And had
dinner and then did some nativity scenes.  I have never done one
before. But this year we did three. And they were actually super fun.
It is funny to see all the kids dress up.  And it is fun to dress up
myself.  It was super fun to be with people in the ward. They are no
replacement for my own family. But they were still great.  We had a
white elephant on Christmas Eve. And it was so funny. There were two
families from the ward there.  And one of them brought a live crab,
and a fresh squid. It was so random. But hey you can buy this out
here. So why not.  There is this market where you can buy live fish
(like twenty different kinds), live eels, live crab, live lobster. It
is crazy!  Elder Timothy bought a corn cob pipe for it. It was so
funny. When he was buying it he got his id checked. It was super
funny!
     And then on Christmas I got to Skype my family. It was the best
ever. Wholly cow time flies when you are talking to your family. It
felt like it was only two minutes. But it was a lot longer then that.
It is good that they are all doing well. It is good to see them smile
and laugh. They say I am still crazy. And I agree. Just a little less
then before. But hey it's alright. Crazy is good!
     This week went great. We are teaching this little kid Nick. He is
ten. He hasn't been baptized yet. But he is progressing so much.  We
gave him a present for Christmas and he ran out and gave us a huge
hug!  It was awesome.  And then we went over to teach him a lesson.
And we gave him his own copy of the Book of Mormon. And his sister is
like we already have a ton. But he was like no. This is my copy and he
took ownership of it. And then in primary he actually sang yesterday.
It was so great!  He really wants to get baptized. But the thing we
are waiting on is permission from his mother. I hope she comes
through. It will be so great for him!
     That's about how my week went. It was great. I had a great
Christmas.  Thanks to all those who sent stuff out.  I really
appreciate it. It made Christmas great!  I hope you all have a great
week this week. I miss you and love you all.
 
Love, Elder Bigelow

Week 17 - Almost Christmas and a Visit to Arlington

Hey Mom,
 
I am excited to get to talk to you this week.  I think we are planning
at talking noon here. So like 9 there. I hope you are done opening
presents by then. I am also going to Arlington later on today. I am pretty
excited about that. It will be pretty sweet. Elder Timothy isn't
really excited to go. But I am. It will be sweet.
 
We have tons of people inviting us over for Christmas and Christmas
Eve.  I am pretty excited about that. There is that family that I sent
you that picture of where I am kinda awkwardly holding up that kid.
But I am excited for that. And then we will go to Christmas Eve at
another members house, the Mendenhalls. They are way fun. I think we
are doing a white elephant with them.  And maybe a nativity scene.
And then I can tell you our plans for Christmas when I talk with you.
But don't worry. We are getting taken care of. I don't think there
will be a Santa and meat balls. Probably not even sherbet punch. But
we will see.
 
This week has been good.  I am getting pretty excited for Christmas.
But its hard to be out here right now. Everyone tells us to come back
after the New Year.  So that kinda stinks. And that kid isn't going to
be baptized this week. Probably in like a month. We just need to get
permission and stuff. And that might take a little while. The ward
gave us some bags with a whole bunch of presents in them. They are
nice. It is sweet to have those. We have this little table with our
tree on it. And it is filling up with presents and packages.   It is
sweet. It's like a mini Christmas with just us 4. And I think after we
open presents we will go to Ihop with a member. It is weird not to
have the same traditions. And not to be around family. But it is
pretty sweet to be around others. And it helps to really think about
others.
 
Simplifying is good. We talk about it all the time.  And it is good.
This Christmas I haven't really worried about buying anything for
anyone.  I got a bunch of treats for you guys. And I bought and ugly
sweater for elder Timothy. But other then that it hasn't really been
focused and who is getting what. And it is just relaxed.  Like hey
I will get a package. But no need to be freaking out about it.  And I
think this might be the first year in my life that I can actually
sleep on Christmas Eve. If there is one thing I have learned out here
is to try to relax about some things. I was pretty relaxed before. But
now I am like I can do my part and if people don't accept that's not
my fault. That is on them for not listening.  And like if people don't
answer the door. Then man that stinks. But it's not the end of the
world. We can stop by later and see if they are home then. As long as
I am good in my eyes and the Lord's eyes than I am ok. I can do my best
and just work.
 
Love you all!
Love, Elder Bigelow

Arlington Cemetery, Elder Bigelow sitting between the graves of his Great Grandpa and Grandma Bigelow.

Washington DC Temple

Elder Timothy and Elder Bigelow at the Washington DC temple.