New letter with Photos!

hola famila y amigos de mio

Well this week was a good week I have two new elders in my pensh. One is brand new and is being trained he is a gringo from Cali. And his trainer is a Latin. So it is hard on him especially cuz his area is a little rough. But I talk to him and encourage him and tell him it could be worse cuz I have already experienced it. But his trainer was a zone leader in the mish for 9 months and he is so awesome I just laugh and laugh talking to him. So with him in the pensh my comp is getting his butt into gear a little bit more and we have been working very hard this past week. We have a couple of awesome references that we are going to teach this week and hope it all goes well.

So this week I got to thinking and realized that the misión is a lot like Alta football while I was there. We are good and people have all sorts of rumors about us that we recruit and try to get kids from other schools to come play and every other school in the state hated us and had heard about us and just went off of what they heard not about what they know or try to find out for themselves. That is related to the mish because everyone hates the Mormons for some reason and think we worship Joseph smith as a god. And they all have heard about us and know who we are and claim to know everything about us. Like we even have our rivals like Bingham, Jordan Brighton, Skyline… Catholics, testigos Evangelical, and science. Its great! Same analogy could be used for North Americans. They hate us and claim to know it all about us. Its funny really. But I love them anyway and a lot of people are really nice and loving and respectful its just the few that are not.

So the other day we were in the chapel for a meeting with the ward mission leader, and ward missionaries and it was going great and really making some good plans for march. And then pounding came at the door and my comp and I went to go see who it was and it was the police slash swat team with shields and body armor and shotguns and everything ready to make battle. We opened the door to see what was happening and they said they got a call from this address and came. But no one called them it was only us… and they all left a little disappointed and but that was kinda fun. The police here are super lazy they don’t do anything so I was shocked with this one. But yeah.

Yesterday had and awesome spiritual experience where we went to take the Sacrament to a lady in the ward who was in an accident and like has a broken back. And she moved out of her bed to the kitchen for us to come and give her the sacrament. And we gave it to her and in the prayer she cried and was crying when we gave it to her I asked if she was ok and thought her back hurt but she said no it was fine. Just that she felt the spirit in the room and Christ in there with us and felt like she was touching the hands of angels when she touched us and everyone in the house agreed with her and said the same to us and were in tears as well. It was really cool and special.

Keep praying for my happiness and joy in the work and for me and my companion to keep getting along and to have more peace and love continually. And that we will find and teach more people.

I love you all and miss you.

Con Amor
Elder Bigelow

Ps I got a package from the Shurtz family and loved it. And I got a package from Ben and Jenny that was special thank you so much I loved it and the pictures were awesome. Noah is getting big. But don’t write on the green paper thing for the package its expensive just say like ten dollars or something and misión supplies. And it’s cheaper for me.

Happy Valentines Day

February 15, 2010

Happy Valentines Day!!! I did remember yes Lisa.

This week I really thought about a year ago at the dance I went to that was the worst ever!!!! That really was the turning point for me I feel in doing the right things and improving myself more for my mission. I know now that I can do the right things even when people are not doing them. I can rely on my savior and be better.

I had the baptism of Mirna Saturday. It was really special especially for me because I found her on the street talked to her and taught her the lessons and baptized her. That is really rare here to find someone and to teach and baptize them. Usually all the baptisms are member references. It was super spiritual for me and very special.

I don’t think I am getting transferred or a new companion... Not exactly what I was wishing for but I need to make the most of it and I will.

Friday was fun all the power went out in Mendoza. It was a little scary and pitch black but luckily our cell phone had a light on it and we could get around and to a members house. But it was cool and something to write in my journal.

And yes Lisa I do want Ben and Jenny to come here and to go visit Bens mission!!! We better!!! But I want to come home first then come back and visit because if you pick me up I can’t get released and I will still have to obey all the mission rules which means I cant leave the mission. So come home first for a little then come back. But that is a LONG ways away and we can talk more about it later. But for now that is what I want and I think would be a lot better. I also want to do the cruise with the Shurtz family..... So start savin up haha (Austin can also call my president but he leaves two months before I do July 2011 so I will have a new one. and I might not come home till October depending on transfers but a again a LONG ways off)

Sorry its short this week my last email did not send and it logged me out. But next week I will probably have a new email set up that I will tell you and you will have to start sending emails to that. The church is changing it up.

I have you all in my prayers and I love you very much. I will work harder and do more so you receive the blessings. I don’t want them. I want you to have them its more important for me to have you be blessed then me.

I love you!!!

Con Amor
Elder Bigelow

Updates from Elder Bigelow

Family

Well this week was a good week. I worked hard and did all I could to push myself and make myself better. I forgot about others and them a week ago and it has helped. I had three in church and one I am putting a fecha with tomorrow for Saturday so I hope she accepts. Her name is mirna and has a lot of problems pray for her and that she will continue to find peace in the church and accept the baptismal date.

Transfers are next week and I was in the office today. Prez pulled me in his office to talk for a second about stuff that has happened this transfer and he said he is going to transfer me next week to somewhere and make sure I have a blast and a lot of fun. He said maybe to campo cuz its harvest time for the grapes and olives and fruits for the wines and such and these areas are awesome. And our mission is exploding right now. We had more in church Sunday then ever before in the mission, and the best January ever so it’s going good. Our mission is very young right now so that says a lot about us and how things are going. I think I might be put as senior comp the transfer after this next one... but I dunno cuz right now I have taken it upon myself, so I pretty much am already, but I dunno we will see. Oh and in the offices I got the package from the church. Thank you and tell them all thank you and I love them.

I also got a card from grandma Johnson. Someone please tell her I got it and that I cannot cash the check she sent to me.

I have started to love reading.... I don’t know what has gotten into me but I look forward to it so much. I read the B.O.M in 4 weeks and I read the Day of the Defense in two days this weekend!! Awesome book I recommend it. Thanks Austin. And I am almost done with D and C. and also involved in Jesus the Christ. I am loving it. I hear there is a book by the same author that wrote Angels and Demons and those books, wrote one about the Mormon Church.... look into it and let me know. I would like to read that.

Are you getting my letters? How is Lindz and the baby. I feel excited for them I really like the name Malakai. How is Noah? Everyone doing ok? I hope you are seeing blessing from this service. I know that you will receive them and that my mom will be too in the spirit world. DC 31.... it’s a good one.

My prez is awesome too dad. He has adopted the number system that the south SLC prez has in store and it really works. I have heard some bad stories about that mish though from elders who served there before coming here cuz of visa problems. But it really is like talking to an apostle I love it and I love him. I know his family so it’s even more special for me. keep up the good missionary work and I will do the same. Deal?

I love you all and miss you. Keep those prayers up and I will do the same and keep working hard. Mom and dad stay awake in church.

Con Amor
Elder Bigelow

Ps. I don’t know why but a thought popped in my head this morning when I was walking and I thought I needed to send it. Its for Sean.... bud I am super proud of you!!! I don’t know why or what you did. But I know the spirit told me you have done something that is right and I can feel it in my heart. I am proud of you and want you to know that. Read your scriptures pray and listen in church. Search for things that will help you in your life. Trials will come and its how you handle them that show who you are and who you will become. I know you’re an amazing person. You have the priesthood and hold that dearly to you. Respect it and obey Gods commandments everyday. I did not always know or understand what it meant to respect my priesthood so I did not always respect it like I should have. I regret that. Obey Gods commandments. The priesthood is real and I have seen miracles in my life and in the mission already where it was only through the priesthood that they happened. I have felt Gods hands on mine while giving blessings and know he is there ministering with us. I love you and am proud of you.

pps. I know some elders do take advantage of the money thing. And I will watch out for it. Thanks for your advice and love. I am running low though. thanks and I miss you and love you.

Familia y amigos

February 1, 2010
Familia y amigos

Well this week was a little bit of a struggle. We bashed heads a few times and found out he does not have anywhere near the same views on obedience as what I do. But its ok. I took charge and we worked very hard all week and reached all the goals. So nothing to be stressed about too much.

We saw a robbery this week it was kinda cool and stuff to see it. It was about three feet in front of us and the kid cut us off to get to the beer truck that he was going to rob. It honestly was like he did not even see us we were right there and so close. The gangster punched the beer delivery guy in the face who had a crate of beer in his hands. Then he grabbed his hair and pulled his head back and put a gun to his face. It was crazy!! But it was like he didn’t even see us because we were so close to him and I could see bullets in the chamber. It was intense and they wrestled for a little bit and the gangster hit the delivery guy in the head with the butt of the handgun and he started bleeding and ran off. About that time we started to run also. We saw the same gangster later that night and he didn’t say or look at us weird at all. At that moment I knew his spiritual eyes were not open and your prayers for protection were in action and he didn’t see us... it was really cool.

Later in the week we bought food for one of our investigators cuz she is very poor and she struggles and has a lot of problems with her family. It is really sad. She speaks English so it is mainly me that helps her. She really speaks both but prefers English so she talks to me. I said a prayer in her house for her and her house and everything I asked for was answered. it was so cool. And she came to church yesterday, which was even better. It was great.

This week I received two much needed things. One a package from Lindsey! Thank you so much and I do like the name Malachi. I really needed it and it gave me a boost of energy. The other I got a letter from Micky Shurtz and it had some advice and love in it. it felt good to read and I needed that so thank you so much.

Also if you have not sent the packages I have ideas of things I want in them and need. Root beer mix, Gatorade mix, recess things fast breaks etc.., butterfingers, starburst, gummy things, pro health tooth paste, floss, church shoe laces in black, sticky notes, and if possible money....I am very short cause I had to buy for my comp these past few weeks and am struggling a bit with food.

Best address, I asked....

Elder Zack Bigelow
Argentina Mendoza mission
Casilla de Correo 631
Mendoza 5500
Mendoza, Argentina

And don’t write what is in the package in detail just put mission supplies and cheap things and it is more likely not to get opened. And hide valuables very, very well in them. Like money and stuff. Or put money on my card something. And big white envelopes with plastic lining inside are the best no one looks in them they cant and it is free for me so send me bunch of those.

What is brads email and I will shoot him an encouragement email sometime I wrote him a while ago and sent it to his mission office that I looked up on line. I don’t know if its the right one or not though so if you could get that to me.

Also I need my blog info so I can give it to members and investigators so they can keep in contact with me and see how I am and where I am. Send it to the Ortiz family if possible dad.

I love you all and things are good. Keep up the prayers they are working and I will talk to you soon.

Con Amor
Eder Bigelow