HOLA!!!
Well I am here in Argentina finally. I love it this place is so awesome!!
So i tried to call Becky and Ben at the airport but neither answered and when I was going to try again one of the elders came running down the hall saying we were boarding the flight and had to go! So I hung up and went right then to jump on the plane. Said my final goodbyes to US soil and took my sleeping pills and fell asleep and didn’t wake up until I had an hour left on my flight :) it was great. Haha we got to the Buenos Aires airport and had to go and find Alberto… we found him and he took us in a van to some other place who knows where but it was about 30-45 min. Away. And we found out it was another local airport. So we got to fly rather then take a bus. The flight was about an hour and forty-five minutes long. When we got to Mendoza we saw the prez. His wife and the ap´s waiting for us. They took us to the prez appartment and then the ap´s took us tracting. We talked to a family who was interested and are now going to get baptized. It made me so excited I could not wait to get to my area!!!
That night we slept in the ap´s pension(house/apartment) it was nice. But freaking hot!! Haha when we got up the next morning we went to a place Similar to the dmv in the states to fill out paper work so we would be legal in the country. While there waiting in line (which is worse then the dmv might i add) This lady just lifts up her shirt while I am asking how she is and she starts to breast feed her baby!!!! Not in the states anymore…. Hahah
Later that day we got our trainers and sent out to our new areas. My trainer is Elder Ayer. And my area is about 2 and a half minutes south of Mendoza . An area called San Rafael. It’s awesome. Ayer is about 6’5” and from New Hampshire. Super cool guy way nice and works super hard. Like we have families lined up everyday to teach and to talk to. I was really blessed with a good companion again I think.
So in our area we have lunch everyday with members. They love us here! And lunch is the big meal of the day ya know. And I think I will be gaining a lot of weight Elder Ayer gained 20 pounds at one point then started running and woking out to work it off and he has. But I want to gain weight for awhile then I will work it off eventually when I get sick of seeing my rolls. ha-ha just playing I already am working out every morning. But the food here is SOOOOO good!!! I love it so much I cant get enough. Yesterday I almost made myself sick eating ¨pastel de papas¨ its kinda like Sheppard’s pie but better it has sugar on top and stuff wow its good. And the treats are even better. Freak this place is awesome!!
Our sector in San Rafeal is really rural. Super poor people and living in some tough conditions as compared to the rest of san rafeal. Dirt roads and shacks for houses with sheets for doors and dirt for floors. One lady a member that we just stopped in to visit her and her family she breast fed in front of me again it has happened like ten times. It happened again walking to do the email in the street. Haha insane. But anyways 5 kids all 8 or younger 2 under 2 bad situation dirt floor and sheets for doors and one bed for them all to sleep in. Smaller then my room at home the whole house its sad but they are happy and I love them so much they are an awesome family.
We are teaching right now a lot of people. Familia austidillo. Three girls they have all accepted it all and been to church once but wont come again its a little frustrating. And they want to be baptized really bad. So we just got to get them to church. Nadir is another man we are teaching he is cool and pretty receptive just cant read to well, and is missing teeth so I already can’t understand people here but when they are old and missing teeth forget about it. hahah its great though. Its funny how many people here are missing teeth probably about fifty percent are its funny. The language gets better everyday and it’s been good I have been blessed to be able to talk to anyone and just laugh that they don’t understand me but I still give them a pamphlet and invite them to church. They take it and yeah so it feels good the people are cool and super loving. I love it here already so much everyone is so freaking awesome!!!!!
So in our pension it has the rumor of being the worst in the whole mission which I could believe seeing others and then ours. But its still good I like it. There are two other elders living with us Elder Spraggue from Sacramento, and Elder Crossa from Uraguay both awesome and so funny always cracking jokes!! And they know so much about other religions and the scriptures its fun just sitting and listening to them chit chat away and tell jokes.
So on Friday we went to a members house for lunch and when we got there the little kids came running up the street and were yelling ELDERS!!! So freaking cute. And we went with them to there house to eat and just all over me asking me so say things in English and teaching me words it was fun. Super cute kids. 2 boys and a little girl Luna. Who is 3 and just always wanting me to hold her and look at her drawings and stuff so cute! Then we ate and I thought it was the fried chicken stuff we had the day before called Milanese which is made from beef and chicken and other things. But I started to chew it and thought it was a bit more chewy then the stuff we had the day before and hoped it was cooked all the way but I ate it anyways it was not bad or anything it was pretty good and I’m not a picky eater I like food in general. But when we left I asked Elder Ayer and he said it was ¨mondongo¨!!! Fetch!! Hahah for those who do not know what that is…. Its cow stomach…. Ha-ha I ate it and had three servings. So yeah a little crazy huh?
So I can only get packages 3 times a year they recommend because it is so expensive for me. I have to pay to get them. And I only get mail every about 5 or 6 weeks they save it and give it to you at conference or transfers. So it kinda suck… also I learned not to write a description of what is in the package just put mission supplies. And they usually wont look in. But anything valuable hide it inside something. But a good bit of info. Is that you can send those white envelopes from the post office the big ones and fill it up to 5 POUNDS and I get it for free it does not charge me if its 5 or under. So send stuff that way and packages a few times a year but make it big and worth my money which i never doubt it will be.
Also I got the wrong address. So if I don’t get letters from people I will
know. But here it is:
Casilla de Correo
5500 Mendoza
MZA ARGENTINA 631
Or another is the mission office….
Mission Argentina Mendoza
Cabildo Abierto 161
5501 Mendoza
This one might be a little better. So maybe start sending it there or somethin if ya can and want to. Just whatever works i guess. But yeah I will also write letters and send them off today. It takes about two weeks to get there I think but I hope to hear from you all soon! I love you so much and miss ya tons! Pray for me to get the language and for the people to feel my spirit and want to change there lives for the better.
Con mucho amor
Elder Bigelow
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sending packages to Zack
This is direct from his mission president in his information letter before he left on his mission.
"We ask that you only send packages to your missionary for 2 or 3 special occasions per year (Christmas, birthday, etc.) Argentine customs regulations stipulates that in all cases the addressee must be present to authorize the opening, checking, and customs clearance of packages. To expedite the examination of such packages, the addressee must be the name "Mision Argentina Mendoza" not "Elder Zack Bigelow" otherwise Zack would have to go to customs personally to get the package and he would have to pay whatever customs desires him to pay to get it out. Mission personel can only retreive packages sent to the "Mision" Put the full name of the missionary without the "Elder" in front of his name in the return address (as sender). SEE below:
Zackery Bigelow
City, State, Zip
U.S.A.
Mision Argentina Mendoza
Casilla de Correo 631
Mendoza 5500
Argentina
According to Argentine law, duties on packages are assessed at 50% of declared value or value as judged bu customs officials. When you declare the value on the green Customs Declaration slip CN22, it must be based upon what you paid. If you insure a package don't write on the slip what you insured the package for, only what was paid for the item that is inside.
ADVICE ON PACKAGES
Since missionaries pay the duties on all packages, you might want to make sure that Primary organizations, well meaning friends and family don't send large packages for which the missionary can't pay the duty.
WE ADVISE THAT YOU SEND PACKAGES BY US PRIORITY MAIL! WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PACKAGES THROUGH DHL AND FED Ex GETTING PERMANENTLY DELAYED IN BUENOS AIRES AND CUSTOMS CAN BE UP TO 300% OF THE PACKAGE VALUE. BY KEEPING YOUR PACKAGE WEIGHT UNDER 2 lbs AND DELIVERING IT IN The PRIORITY MAIL BUBBLE ENVELOPE SEEMS TO KEEP MOST SHIPMENTS OUT OF CUSTOMS.
Shipment time on packages is also unperdictable; packages can arrive in two weeks, but sometimes take up to eight weeks at Christmas time.
"We ask that you only send packages to your missionary for 2 or 3 special occasions per year (Christmas, birthday, etc.) Argentine customs regulations stipulates that in all cases the addressee must be present to authorize the opening, checking, and customs clearance of packages. To expedite the examination of such packages, the addressee must be the name "Mision Argentina Mendoza" not "Elder Zack Bigelow" otherwise Zack would have to go to customs personally to get the package and he would have to pay whatever customs desires him to pay to get it out. Mission personel can only retreive packages sent to the "Mision" Put the full name of the missionary without the "Elder" in front of his name in the return address (as sender). SEE below:
Zackery Bigelow
City, State, Zip
U.S.A.
Mision Argentina Mendoza
Casilla de Correo 631
Mendoza 5500
Argentina
According to Argentine law, duties on packages are assessed at 50% of declared value or value as judged bu customs officials. When you declare the value on the green Customs Declaration slip CN22, it must be based upon what you paid. If you insure a package don't write on the slip what you insured the package for, only what was paid for the item that is inside.
ADVICE ON PACKAGES
Since missionaries pay the duties on all packages, you might want to make sure that Primary organizations, well meaning friends and family don't send large packages for which the missionary can't pay the duty.
WE ADVISE THAT YOU SEND PACKAGES BY US PRIORITY MAIL! WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PACKAGES THROUGH DHL AND FED Ex GETTING PERMANENTLY DELAYED IN BUENOS AIRES AND CUSTOMS CAN BE UP TO 300% OF THE PACKAGE VALUE. BY KEEPING YOUR PACKAGE WEIGHT UNDER 2 lbs AND DELIVERING IT IN The PRIORITY MAIL BUBBLE ENVELOPE SEEMS TO KEEP MOST SHIPMENTS OUT OF CUSTOMS.
Shipment time on packages is also unperdictable; packages can arrive in two weeks, but sometimes take up to eight weeks at Christmas time.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Zacks last letter from the MTC
November 20,2009
FAMILIA y AMIGOS
Hello! So this is going to be my last email from the mtc...crazy I cant believe it is already here! As far as I know my e-mail will still be the same but it could change to a gmail I dunno... my mission president has a gmail account for the mission so we could have that be our new address when we get there but I don’t know for sure. I am super nervous, but SO excited also. It will just be crazy living in a totally different country for the next 22 months. I can’t wait to see the facial expressions of people down there when they hear me try to speak Spanish. I will just die laughing cause they won’t be able to understand me. But someday they will I am sure, and have faith in that. I cant wait to see the change in peoples lives and in my own...
So I gave myself the challenge to give out four books of Mormons in my travels. Two in English and two in Spanish. That will be very nerve racking! But once I step off this campus I am officially in the field, and have to start working like I am in the field by contacting and teaching people who are not members, and not just other missionaries who already have a testimony. That will be really cool.
We have one elder in our district who did end up getting reassigned temporarily till his visa comes in. He leaves on Wednesday to the Chicago North mission until his visa gets passed through. He is way excited and we are all a little jealous of him.. He gets to get broken in and gets thanksgiving and possibly one Christmas here, and one in Mendoza.
I have all the same meal times as Elizabeth Smart. That’s pretty cool. She Is very nice I said hi and talked to her for a second. Her brother is here in the MTC also. So they are here together, so that’s way cool. All the elders in my zone think that this place is Hogwarts from harry potter. And we decided yesterday that Sister Smart is equivalent to Harry. Everyone knows who she is and turns to look at her when she walks by. ha-ha
Also today we talked to an actual argentine. Straight from Buenos Aires. Yup I know anything and will be laughing a lot at what people are saying and that they cant understand me. But he is very nice and said that I will love it there and said again that Mendoza is absolutely gorgeous! So family you will be picking me up as of now. That is how I feel and is what I want you to do. We can go over into Chile to see Bens mission and see the sights down there. I hear there is a ton of way cool stuff to see and do. Mendoza is currently building like a main tourist place for the country. So you know the place is awesome. I can’t wait.
Today was the last day going to the temple for two years...that was sad and hard for me to leave the celestial room. I have so many great feelings and experiences in there it will be hard not to be able to go in there and count on it every week. So possibly, the Buenos Aires temple will be reopened by the end of my mission and we can go to the Santiago Chile temple, and go to Buenos Aires or one of them. That would be cool and an awesome experience for all of us I think. So lets plan on it and do it.
So I will be calling Lisa in Georgia about 3 or 3:30 Utah time. Talk for a bit then call you dad? Or if I have a lot of minutes call Becky so I can talk to you longer before I board the plane? I dunno I will do something like that depending on how many minutes I have because I want to talk to you dad.
I know this church is true. I love this gospel and I love this work. I cant wait to see my life change and have an opportunity to serve Gods children and see there lives change as well. I know that the book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and he saw God the father and the son Jesus Christ. I know he translated the book of Mormon a collection of stories and teaching of Christ and prophets from ancient America. I know we have a living prophet on the earth today in Thomas S Monson. He is the Lords mouth piece for us and we need to listen to his teachings. I love this gospel so much. I know that there is a plan for us and if we strive to live the commandments and obey them we can live with our families and with God again someday.
I love you all so much and will miss! Please stay in touch!
Mucho Amor
Elder Bigelow
P.s. Lisa, dad I am sending my carry on suitcase home I don’t need it everything is all packed up and I don’t need that. So I am sending it home and you will have to go someplace and pick it up. They will let you know. Somewhere around our house I am sure. And I got my final shot yesterday. It was 93 dollars. I do not have that money so in the suitcase inside the box is a blue paper with what needs to be done ASAP. And pick it up soon please I have important stuff for you in it.
I got the debit card and I do have the pin yes. thank you very much!
give Becky some copies of the pictures on the cd in my package. She was wanting some and the machine broke the other day so I wont have time to send her some.
FAMILIA y AMIGOS
Hello! So this is going to be my last email from the mtc...crazy I cant believe it is already here! As far as I know my e-mail will still be the same but it could change to a gmail I dunno... my mission president has a gmail account for the mission so we could have that be our new address when we get there but I don’t know for sure. I am super nervous, but SO excited also. It will just be crazy living in a totally different country for the next 22 months. I can’t wait to see the facial expressions of people down there when they hear me try to speak Spanish. I will just die laughing cause they won’t be able to understand me. But someday they will I am sure, and have faith in that. I cant wait to see the change in peoples lives and in my own...
So I gave myself the challenge to give out four books of Mormons in my travels. Two in English and two in Spanish. That will be very nerve racking! But once I step off this campus I am officially in the field, and have to start working like I am in the field by contacting and teaching people who are not members, and not just other missionaries who already have a testimony. That will be really cool.
We have one elder in our district who did end up getting reassigned temporarily till his visa comes in. He leaves on Wednesday to the Chicago North mission until his visa gets passed through. He is way excited and we are all a little jealous of him.. He gets to get broken in and gets thanksgiving and possibly one Christmas here, and one in Mendoza.
I have all the same meal times as Elizabeth Smart. That’s pretty cool. She Is very nice I said hi and talked to her for a second. Her brother is here in the MTC also. So they are here together, so that’s way cool. All the elders in my zone think that this place is Hogwarts from harry potter. And we decided yesterday that Sister Smart is equivalent to Harry. Everyone knows who she is and turns to look at her when she walks by. ha-ha
Also today we talked to an actual argentine. Straight from Buenos Aires. Yup I know anything and will be laughing a lot at what people are saying and that they cant understand me. But he is very nice and said that I will love it there and said again that Mendoza is absolutely gorgeous! So family you will be picking me up as of now. That is how I feel and is what I want you to do. We can go over into Chile to see Bens mission and see the sights down there. I hear there is a ton of way cool stuff to see and do. Mendoza is currently building like a main tourist place for the country. So you know the place is awesome. I can’t wait.
Today was the last day going to the temple for two years...that was sad and hard for me to leave the celestial room. I have so many great feelings and experiences in there it will be hard not to be able to go in there and count on it every week. So possibly, the Buenos Aires temple will be reopened by the end of my mission and we can go to the Santiago Chile temple, and go to Buenos Aires or one of them. That would be cool and an awesome experience for all of us I think. So lets plan on it and do it.
So I will be calling Lisa in Georgia about 3 or 3:30 Utah time. Talk for a bit then call you dad? Or if I have a lot of minutes call Becky so I can talk to you longer before I board the plane? I dunno I will do something like that depending on how many minutes I have because I want to talk to you dad.
I know this church is true. I love this gospel and I love this work. I cant wait to see my life change and have an opportunity to serve Gods children and see there lives change as well. I know that the book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and he saw God the father and the son Jesus Christ. I know he translated the book of Mormon a collection of stories and teaching of Christ and prophets from ancient America. I know we have a living prophet on the earth today in Thomas S Monson. He is the Lords mouth piece for us and we need to listen to his teachings. I love this gospel so much. I know that there is a plan for us and if we strive to live the commandments and obey them we can live with our families and with God again someday.
I love you all so much and will miss! Please stay in touch!
Mucho Amor
Elder Bigelow
P.s. Lisa, dad I am sending my carry on suitcase home I don’t need it everything is all packed up and I don’t need that. So I am sending it home and you will have to go someplace and pick it up. They will let you know. Somewhere around our house I am sure. And I got my final shot yesterday. It was 93 dollars. I do not have that money so in the suitcase inside the box is a blue paper with what needs to be done ASAP. And pick it up soon please I have important stuff for you in it.
I got the debit card and I do have the pin yes. thank you very much!
give Becky some copies of the pictures on the cd in my package. She was wanting some and the machine broke the other day so I wont have time to send her some.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Travel Plans
November 15,2009
Family!!
Well this week on Tuesday we had a meeting with the travel people for Argentina to talk about visas and issues there. They eventually called my name to come up and talk to them.... and I GOT MY VISA!!!!! I am going to Argentina!!! I got my flight plans today also...it goes as follows
Leave the mtc at 6 am
Flight leaves from slc at 10:55 and fly to Atlanta, GA
I arrive in GA at 4:37 pm
I then leave GA to Buenos Aires at 7:40 pm all on nov. 23.
I arrive in Buenos Aires at 7:50 am on nov. 24.
I then have a 12 hour bus ride to Mendoza!!!
Flight number is 1512 to Georgia then 101 to Argentina
So I have a 4 hour lay over in GA. when would you want me to call? During the layover? Since you will be home from work and such things like that. Or what? I would prefer, personally when I am in GA... Its all on Delta Airlines. So yeah. I also remembered last week that I forgot to tell you in my email that I was made zone leader in my zone. Its a little stressful taking care of everyone and stuff but I have learned a lot and it has been good. As zone leader you have to go check on everyone every night get scores on Spanish speaking from every district, read all the district leader letters, and respond and show and take care of all the new districts. This Wednesday we have two districts of 12 come in the same day. That will be a little hard to show them all around, but it will be fun. Also I now have a crap load more meetings to go to on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. But oh well. Its fun I like it.
So yeah this week if letters are not sent by Wednesday then don’t send them to the mtc just send them to Argentina because I won’t get them. It’s going good here. I see Kyle on occasion here and he is doing good I have not noticed any problems with him he seems totally fine and has not said anything to me about any problems. Its so funny at lunch and meal times on occasion its like a mini Alta reunion with all of us seeing each other and talking. its great. I am so excited to get down to Argentina I can barely retain myself. Ha-ha I don’t know any Spanish but it will be awesome to be surrounded by only Spanish and have no clue what anyone is saying. haha I cant wait!!
So kyles family sent me deer jerky this week from kaysons deer. It was SO amazing!!! I loved it. Best stuff I have ever had. Thank you shurtz family!! Have you been sending my emails to the kunz family because they have said they have not been getting them? I will put their email in my letter I will be sending so if your not make sure you send them to them. And send everyone my mission address please. I don’t know what it is right now but I want to get letters when I get there. not just sit around for weeks waiting for one to come in and be heart broken from it. Haha. All is well I look forward to hearing soon from you about when to call and stuff. I love you so much and all you do for me. Keep giving me mission stories in my letters I love hearing them.
Amor
Elder Bigelow!!!
Family!!
Well this week on Tuesday we had a meeting with the travel people for Argentina to talk about visas and issues there. They eventually called my name to come up and talk to them.... and I GOT MY VISA!!!!! I am going to Argentina!!! I got my flight plans today also...it goes as follows
Leave the mtc at 6 am
Flight leaves from slc at 10:55 and fly to Atlanta, GA
I arrive in GA at 4:37 pm
I then leave GA to Buenos Aires at 7:40 pm all on nov. 23.
I arrive in Buenos Aires at 7:50 am on nov. 24.
I then have a 12 hour bus ride to Mendoza!!!
Flight number is 1512 to Georgia then 101 to Argentina
So I have a 4 hour lay over in GA. when would you want me to call? During the layover? Since you will be home from work and such things like that. Or what? I would prefer, personally when I am in GA... Its all on Delta Airlines. So yeah. I also remembered last week that I forgot to tell you in my email that I was made zone leader in my zone. Its a little stressful taking care of everyone and stuff but I have learned a lot and it has been good. As zone leader you have to go check on everyone every night get scores on Spanish speaking from every district, read all the district leader letters, and respond and show and take care of all the new districts. This Wednesday we have two districts of 12 come in the same day. That will be a little hard to show them all around, but it will be fun. Also I now have a crap load more meetings to go to on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. But oh well. Its fun I like it.
So yeah this week if letters are not sent by Wednesday then don’t send them to the mtc just send them to Argentina because I won’t get them. It’s going good here. I see Kyle on occasion here and he is doing good I have not noticed any problems with him he seems totally fine and has not said anything to me about any problems. Its so funny at lunch and meal times on occasion its like a mini Alta reunion with all of us seeing each other and talking. its great. I am so excited to get down to Argentina I can barely retain myself. Ha-ha I don’t know any Spanish but it will be awesome to be surrounded by only Spanish and have no clue what anyone is saying. haha I cant wait!!
So kyles family sent me deer jerky this week from kaysons deer. It was SO amazing!!! I loved it. Best stuff I have ever had. Thank you shurtz family!! Have you been sending my emails to the kunz family because they have said they have not been getting them? I will put their email in my letter I will be sending so if your not make sure you send them to them. And send everyone my mission address please. I don’t know what it is right now but I want to get letters when I get there. not just sit around for weeks waiting for one to come in and be heart broken from it. Haha. All is well I look forward to hearing soon from you about when to call and stuff. I love you so much and all you do for me. Keep giving me mission stories in my letters I love hearing them.
Amor
Elder Bigelow!!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Letter plus some pictures
(Dallin and Me)
(Missionary Goggles)
November 6, 2009
Family-
Hello there!! Thanks for the email dad! Really made me feel good. And I did get the package from Becky. I sent her a letter right before we got the mail and the package was in it waiting for me. So I have now heard from you Becky. Thanks! the dictionary is great so far. A lot better then the crappy dictionary they give us here.
This week was a pretty boring week nothing really happened just class, study, eat, and sleep. Even though a few more Alta kids came in this week and at dinner Wednesday it was like a huge Alta reunion. we all saw and talked to each other. I am glad to hear I will be getting a letter from you dad sometime today or tomorrow. I have been a little bummed not hearing from you this week. Yesterday in the mail all the Argentina missionaries got this paper to go to a meeting on Tuesday to talk about visas, so who knows how that will go. That’s all it said on it. It could be good or it could be bad. But hopefully either by Tuesday or the latest Friday I will know, because I am supposed to get my travel plans by that time. I guess I will see if I hear anything from Lindsey since she never wrote and told me, and you forwarded her my email.
So this week I have been thinking and talking about the mission with a lot of people. I have met a lot of RM's from Argentina and stuff and just in general with my district. If we get down there on time and everything, we will have 22 months there. . . that does not even seem like enough time at all! It seems so short! Like how am I to do all the work that needs to be done in 22 months? I will have to freaking bust my butt every single day to try and make the absolute most of my time! I feel like the people there deserve so much more time then that and that I need to give them more time. Ah!! I can’t believe it. And I have talked with some former missionaries down there none from Mendoza but around it. They have all
said that I am SO lucky, and it is like the prettiest and coolest mission down there. They were always so jealous of the missionaries who got to serve in that area. That it truly is incredible! That just sent me over the edge. I am so PUMPED!! Why can’t I go today, besides the fact my Spanish sucks and the visas are backed up? Ha ha. I want to go now and if I go state side to start that will be sweet two missions in one. God needed me in two places at once. Sweet. And I will get thanksgiving maybe, and get my Spanish a little more down then what it is now.
We taught the first lesson for the second time in Spanish this week. That went good, and now we are getting ready for the second lesson in Spanish this week. There is a ton of vocab that goes in it. It will be interesting, but I am super excited.
So Ben, I hear that Chileans and argentines are huge rivals! I also have heard that the argentines are a very prideful! So I guess I will get along pretty nicely with them. Something we have in common even though my pride, I think, has really gone down quiet a bit. I feel I am pretty humble, and my district is probably the most humble district ever- pretty much because we already know we are better then everyone.... ha-ha just playin.
Well I look forward to hearing from all of you soon, and I will let you know where I am going if its not Argentina right away. Life is good the church is true! I love this work and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. I am on the Lord’s errand. Even if I only convert one person, that is still a whole generation of kids and missionaries and more converts. And like it says in Alma, call on one to repentance and bring thousands back to God. I love you all so much!!!
Love
Elder Bigelow
Ps. stickers to be sent. Anything that a little argentine child would like. Ask Ben or something. His idea and I have heard that they LOVE them!!! And I already love them and want to give them what I can.
(Me and Kyle)
(Me and my companions all to Mendoza)
(Pointing to my future home...long way from home)
Monday, November 2, 2009
This weeks letter
October 30,2009
Hey family!
I got your letter don’t worry. Did you get mine? With all the pictures and stuff? Sorry you have been sick all week dad. That is never fun. Yeah I was the first to see Noah in his costume don’t worry about! I’m a big deal and loved the most. It is what it is. I hope you got my letter this last week because it had a bunch of pictures it was six pages and had good stuff in it. And I have heard from friends that have not been getting my letters so I am a little upset right now with that cause I have no idea who has and has not got my letters. And what letters I have not received from people. And the package sending... I heard I have to pay for it no matter what.
Did you hear from my mission president for an address or anything because I don’t even know where to tell you to send it. Also you will be hearing more in the letter, but I most likely will not be getting to Argentina on time... they are having a huge swine flu out break down there and visas are Super backed up!! I have talked to some elders going there. 20 of them, were Supposed to leave Tuesday, and only four got their visas down there. The rest are going to Texas, Cali, Georgia, and Arizona till the visas come in. And that has been a huge problem for all the missionaries going there lately. So I am thinking I will be in the states for a little bit before going to Argentina. So who knows if I will even be there for Christmas. It’s a little difficult to make a call for it. I have got two post cards from Becky by the way and that was last week. Nothing since so maybe they got lost in the mail too.
I am doing well though. We had our fast in Spanish a couple times this week it went well. And taught the first lesson in Spanish on Wednesday. That went great too. A lot better then I had thought it would go. For me at least. I can’t believe I am the older district in my zone now I cant wait to get going and start teaching real investigators in person and see the changes in peoples lives! I feel if I go to the states I am lucky! I get to have two missions in one, and it will give me a chance to get my feet a little more wet in Spanish before just jumping right in, so I can learn more and speak better. The Lord works in mysterious ways and always has a plan. Nothing just happens for no reason. If I get sent to a state for a while someone needs to hear my message, if not then that means that I need more time to find the people in Argentina that need to hear my message. I really cant wait it is crazy!
Glad I had to get a letter from Ben today to tell me about Lindsey!!!!! So no one was going to tell me she is having a boy???? Was everyone just going to wait till I got back? WOW thanks for keeping me updated with family matters going on. :( Ha ha ha just playin! Congrats Lindz. I’m sure he will be spoiled and a great athlete. Can’t wait to meet him. Due date? Name? Have you thought of any of my ideas? They are good! Ha ha.
So any of my friends/family getting this and I have not written back to you, I promise I have. I always write everyone back every time. It is possible it got lost in the mail so write back if you have a desire and interest in hearing from me. esta bien! Yeah I heard about Alta. I’m sure they will do well, but I think Bingham will win state. And I could hear the BYU game from right outside the door to my building. I listened to part of the first quarter. Stuff I want in a package.... mt. dew? Dr pepper, Candy, jerky, toys to play with, stickers for the kids. I don’t know whatever. I am happy with every single package I get no matter what’s in it! I will love it no matter what. But I do need a good Spanish to English dictionary asap. the one they give you here SUCKS and they tell you to get a new one as soon as you can! But how can I with no outside world access. Like a yellow one is good. One I can study with and maybe one that I can put in my pocket if ya could... but yeah i need that soon as possible.
Language is coming and the spirit is great. L. Tom Perry spoke to us in a fireside on Tuesday. There is more in the letter. If anyone else wants to know more just ask and I will give the details, it was good. Hope to hear back from you soon. Hope all is good. Keep studying the scriptures and pray as much as you can. Its so powerful! God loves us! I love all of you!
Love
Elder Bigelow!
mucho gusto!
ps i cant get face book stuff lisa....
Hey family!
I got your letter don’t worry. Did you get mine? With all the pictures and stuff? Sorry you have been sick all week dad. That is never fun. Yeah I was the first to see Noah in his costume don’t worry about! I’m a big deal and loved the most. It is what it is. I hope you got my letter this last week because it had a bunch of pictures it was six pages and had good stuff in it. And I have heard from friends that have not been getting my letters so I am a little upset right now with that cause I have no idea who has and has not got my letters. And what letters I have not received from people. And the package sending... I heard I have to pay for it no matter what.
Did you hear from my mission president for an address or anything because I don’t even know where to tell you to send it. Also you will be hearing more in the letter, but I most likely will not be getting to Argentina on time... they are having a huge swine flu out break down there and visas are Super backed up!! I have talked to some elders going there. 20 of them, were Supposed to leave Tuesday, and only four got their visas down there. The rest are going to Texas, Cali, Georgia, and Arizona till the visas come in. And that has been a huge problem for all the missionaries going there lately. So I am thinking I will be in the states for a little bit before going to Argentina. So who knows if I will even be there for Christmas. It’s a little difficult to make a call for it. I have got two post cards from Becky by the way and that was last week. Nothing since so maybe they got lost in the mail too.
I am doing well though. We had our fast in Spanish a couple times this week it went well. And taught the first lesson in Spanish on Wednesday. That went great too. A lot better then I had thought it would go. For me at least. I can’t believe I am the older district in my zone now I cant wait to get going and start teaching real investigators in person and see the changes in peoples lives! I feel if I go to the states I am lucky! I get to have two missions in one, and it will give me a chance to get my feet a little more wet in Spanish before just jumping right in, so I can learn more and speak better. The Lord works in mysterious ways and always has a plan. Nothing just happens for no reason. If I get sent to a state for a while someone needs to hear my message, if not then that means that I need more time to find the people in Argentina that need to hear my message. I really cant wait it is crazy!
Glad I had to get a letter from Ben today to tell me about Lindsey!!!!! So no one was going to tell me she is having a boy???? Was everyone just going to wait till I got back? WOW thanks for keeping me updated with family matters going on. :( Ha ha ha just playin! Congrats Lindz. I’m sure he will be spoiled and a great athlete. Can’t wait to meet him. Due date? Name? Have you thought of any of my ideas? They are good! Ha ha.
So any of my friends/family getting this and I have not written back to you, I promise I have. I always write everyone back every time. It is possible it got lost in the mail so write back if you have a desire and interest in hearing from me. esta bien! Yeah I heard about Alta. I’m sure they will do well, but I think Bingham will win state. And I could hear the BYU game from right outside the door to my building. I listened to part of the first quarter. Stuff I want in a package.... mt. dew? Dr pepper, Candy, jerky, toys to play with, stickers for the kids. I don’t know whatever. I am happy with every single package I get no matter what’s in it! I will love it no matter what. But I do need a good Spanish to English dictionary asap. the one they give you here SUCKS and they tell you to get a new one as soon as you can! But how can I with no outside world access. Like a yellow one is good. One I can study with and maybe one that I can put in my pocket if ya could... but yeah i need that soon as possible.
Language is coming and the spirit is great. L. Tom Perry spoke to us in a fireside on Tuesday. There is more in the letter. If anyone else wants to know more just ask and I will give the details, it was good. Hope to hear back from you soon. Hope all is good. Keep studying the scriptures and pray as much as you can. Its so powerful! God loves us! I love all of you!
Love
Elder Bigelow!
mucho gusto!
ps i cant get face book stuff lisa....
New Updates from Elder Bigelow
October 24, 2009
Hello everybody!
ONE MONTH DOWN!! One more month and I will finally be in ARGENTINA!! I can’t even wait! The MTC is great just want to get down there and serve the people I promised I would find. I am so excited we talk about it everyday. I know that I know ZERO Spanish and will realize I know even less then that when I get there and hear every talk to me.
Dallin emailed me. I guess he can gmail so maybe I will too when I get there. we will have to see. I did get the coat! It fits great thank you very much. Did you get the email from my mission prez. that Christmas packages need to be sent by Nov. 1st to get there on time or something, I guess. Elder Davis was telling me that his parents told him that, because they got the email. Just something to think about, If you love me... and will send me one... and anyone else out there feel free to if your heart desires. Grandma Johnson sent me a package And a Halloween card this week. It was nice and thank you very much! Everything that I get I love very much! Its so nice to know your thinking of me and stuff. I really do appreciate it very much! Letters are the bomb! I love to get them from anyone. It’s great. I hope you got the pictures and letter I sent. Some pretty cool stuff happened this week and I explained it in the letter.
Wow so tomorrow sounds like it will be a big game! I’m excited to hear how it goes. I get a feeling it might not be to pretty for the people here in Provo though. But my district is going all blue ties tomorrow to show our support.
This next week and from here on out we are "fasting from English" on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, in hopes that we will pick up the language more. We also have to teach in Spanish only from here on out. Wednesday is our last day to teach in English, so that will be exciting. The days may get to be more "fasting" as we get going but for now its just those three. So it looks like I wont be speaking at all on any of those days. Ha ha.
I do see Kyle almost every single day. I guess Brad Kunz and Skylar Taylor drove up here and found him on the MTC grounds. Little mad they did not find me and Brad is the only person of all my friends has written me back. But whatever... ha ha. I love any letters I get and totally forget who has and has not. I just read through all my letters last night I have got, that was fun. This email is short cause all the stuff I put in the letter. And as far as the goggles goes for Kyle...pretty sure he has them too a little bit. But I’m not totally sure.
The elder that was in quarantine got out on Sunday. He said it was the Worst experience of his life. He could not leave his room for five days! They slid food through the door and that was the most outside world he got. But lets be honest this is nothing like the outside world. How is Lindsey and the baby? Any names for it? Gender? What’s up? If she names it Zack don’t get offended, I’m just the favorite! Ha ha. I’m humble because I already know I’m the best... ha ha just playing. I hope all is well there. I look forward to hearing from you soon and getting letters from you. I love it! From all of you it makes the day so much better you don’t even know! Mail is great!
I love all of you and keep you all in my prayers.
Love
Elder Bigelow
Hello everybody!
ONE MONTH DOWN!! One more month and I will finally be in ARGENTINA!! I can’t even wait! The MTC is great just want to get down there and serve the people I promised I would find. I am so excited we talk about it everyday. I know that I know ZERO Spanish and will realize I know even less then that when I get there and hear every talk to me.
Dallin emailed me. I guess he can gmail so maybe I will too when I get there. we will have to see. I did get the coat! It fits great thank you very much. Did you get the email from my mission prez. that Christmas packages need to be sent by Nov. 1st to get there on time or something, I guess. Elder Davis was telling me that his parents told him that, because they got the email. Just something to think about, If you love me... and will send me one... and anyone else out there feel free to if your heart desires. Grandma Johnson sent me a package And a Halloween card this week. It was nice and thank you very much! Everything that I get I love very much! Its so nice to know your thinking of me and stuff. I really do appreciate it very much! Letters are the bomb! I love to get them from anyone. It’s great. I hope you got the pictures and letter I sent. Some pretty cool stuff happened this week and I explained it in the letter.
Wow so tomorrow sounds like it will be a big game! I’m excited to hear how it goes. I get a feeling it might not be to pretty for the people here in Provo though. But my district is going all blue ties tomorrow to show our support.
This next week and from here on out we are "fasting from English" on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, in hopes that we will pick up the language more. We also have to teach in Spanish only from here on out. Wednesday is our last day to teach in English, so that will be exciting. The days may get to be more "fasting" as we get going but for now its just those three. So it looks like I wont be speaking at all on any of those days. Ha ha.
I do see Kyle almost every single day. I guess Brad Kunz and Skylar Taylor drove up here and found him on the MTC grounds. Little mad they did not find me and Brad is the only person of all my friends has written me back. But whatever... ha ha. I love any letters I get and totally forget who has and has not. I just read through all my letters last night I have got, that was fun. This email is short cause all the stuff I put in the letter. And as far as the goggles goes for Kyle...pretty sure he has them too a little bit. But I’m not totally sure.
The elder that was in quarantine got out on Sunday. He said it was the Worst experience of his life. He could not leave his room for five days! They slid food through the door and that was the most outside world he got. But lets be honest this is nothing like the outside world. How is Lindsey and the baby? Any names for it? Gender? What’s up? If she names it Zack don’t get offended, I’m just the favorite! Ha ha. I’m humble because I already know I’m the best... ha ha just playing. I hope all is well there. I look forward to hearing from you soon and getting letters from you. I love it! From all of you it makes the day so much better you don’t even know! Mail is great!
I love all of you and keep you all in my prayers.
Love
Elder Bigelow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
