First day and 911

Dear Family and Friends,
And June is over....and there it went.....Seriously crazy week. I am
exhausted and so happy and loving life! Igot my new trainee this week!
Her name is Sister Rhiner and she isfrom a small town in Illinois. She
is 19 and straight from the MTC.
She is awesome and we have had so much fun together already! I have
gotten really lucky with both my trainees. She is super humble and is
always asking questions so she can learn and be a good missionary. I
love it! And it is helping me to stay focused and keep the fire. Life
is so good!

The first part of this week was spent getting Sister Borjas all packed
and ready to go! She is home in Kansas now and it is so crazy. My
transfer with her absolutely flew by. But she is on to bigger and
better things and I am happy for her! I went and picked up Sister
Rhiner on Wednesday and we went straight to work teaching and doing
service. I totally remember what it was like to be a brand new
missionary. So nervous all the time and it is so scary! But I hope
that I can be there for her and help her as much as possible.

Unfortunately my companion got really sick this last week. Probably
just new environment, stress, and exhaustion. On Thursday night at
dinner we were eating, and she just grabs my arm and says, "I don't
feel good, I can't see anything right now." She went completely white
and started hyperventilating, and going in and out of consciousness.
Luckily the member that we were with has a medical history, so she
grabbed all her tools. He blood pressure shot way up, the machine
wouldn't even register it, and her heart-rate dropped way low. I was
literally holding her on her chair and I just kept screaming "keep
your eyes open, stay with me!" It was so scary! We called 911 when her
heart-rate dropped, so the ambulance came and took care of her. She is
okay now, but it was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. I
just kept praying in my heart for her to be okay. I was in tears and
the member was in tears, but we were trying to stay calm. They said it
was a severe anxiety attack. She is okay and healthy now, but we took
it easy for a few days and I have been her mommy making sure she
drinks lots of water and stays cool. Poor thing, second day in! She is
a champ though, she stayed strong and has been happy as a clam ever
since. She is such an example to me. She was able to get a really
powerful priesthood blessing, and the whole experience helped me to
know that Heavenly Father is truly there and he hears and answers
prayers and comforts us in times of need. I was really shaken up, and
I definitely needed that comfort he gave to me. Hopefully it doesn't
happen again, and we will be blessed to be able to work hard and have
success!

That was the excitement for this week! We had a really great District
meeting and we talked about the phrase, "If it is to be, it is up to
ME!" We talked about stories from the scriptures where they took
matters into their own hands and decided it was up to them and got
things done. It was a really great reminder, that if we are following
the Lord's plan, we can choose to be happy and we can choose to change
the world if we want to. Christ definitely had this mindset. He didn't
necessarily want to suffer and die for all of us. But he knew that it
had to be, so he had to do it, and he did it because he loves us. Can
you imagine if he just said that it wasn't up to him? We would be
nowhere without the Savior and his sacrifice for us. Really powerful
message.

Our investigators are doing so good and progressing so well. Zack and
Brenden are on track for baptism is July. Super exciting! And we found
another really solid investigator this week named Celeste. Keep them
in you prayers! Summer is in full swing here and it has been really
hot! But I love being sweaty knowing that I am working hard and
helping other people. 4th of July is like the biggest deal in Rupert.
They have stuff going on in town all week leading up to it. We are
hoping to have lots of success maybe street contacting and talking to
people this week. Should be a good one! Thank you so much for all your
love and support. Happy 4th of July! Be safe!
Love, Sister Bigelow xoxoxoxox

Staying and training in Rupert

Dear Family and Friends,

Good week this week! Transfers are here again. My Sister Borjas goes
home to Kansas and I am so sad but so happy for her! I get to stay in
Rupert for another one and train a new missionary! I am really excited
cause I kind of know what I am doing this time haha. And it will help
keep me focused to the very end. This is my last transfer and it is so
bittersweet! Time sure does fly.

Not much to report on this week. We have done a lot of
cleaning/packing/organizing for Sister Borjas. And we have just had a
busy week with service and teaching. Our new investigators the
Zaragoza's came to church and they are so awesome! It is weird that I
am older than them, but they are married and just bought their first
house haha. They are so prepared and I love teaching them because they
just want to learn and it is amazing.

I got to go on exchanges in Burley with Sister Kentner this week. It
was so fun to be back together and reminisce on the old time in good
ol' Rupert. I swear I always have the most interesting things happen
in that area on every exchange! Another dog peed on my leg haha. Good
times. It was a blast!

Other than that we are just working away to try to find more people to
teach. Sorry this email is so short, running low on time today. Sister
Borjas and I are going to have a girls day and get her all pretty to
go home on Wednesday. I love you all! Thank you for all the love and
support. Have a wonderful week :)
Love, Sister Bigelow

RIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG......

Dear Family and Friends,
It has been a wonderful week! All I can say is that miracles happen! I
have a cool story for you this week:)
....so ya know how we have been searching and searching for new
investigators?? Well this week the search was still on. A bunch of our
investigators and less-actives moved or are in the process of moving,
so we have been trying to build up our teaching pool again. So this
week we get a call from the YSA Elders. They were in our area giving
someone in the YSA ward a blessing. They saw a guy working in his
yard, and felt impressed that they needed to talk to him. So they did.
It turns out he is married, so they gave us his information and told
us to go back the next day and that he seemed kind of interested.
So we went back the next day when he said he would be home, and like
always nobody is home. Typical missionary life. I didn't think too
much of it, but we did keep trying. Every day for the whole week we
knocked on that door with no answer. So we finally left a note on
their door with our names and phone numbers. And of course no call
come through. So again, I didn't think too much about it. But after a
few days, I though of him again, so we tried again with no answer. So
we were just going to give up.
Then, we were praying. I was saying the prayer and I prayed that he
would call. And just as I said it, the phone rang, and it was him!!!!!
It was a total "Best 2 years" moment.
"Please bless him that he may call..."
RIIIINNNNNGGGG.....
"It's him!"
*Halleluja! Hallelujah!*
Hahahaha we were dying it was too funny! That never happens! It was
amazing and such a testimony builder for me of diligence and hard work
and blessings. We met with them and they are so prepared! He had just
been thinking about how now that he was a newlywed, that he wanted
religion for his family, and the next day the Elders showed up, and
that was his sign. So now both him and his wife are investigating and
they are amazing! Miracles happen!

That was pretty much the highlight of the week. Zach is doing good and
moving towards baptism, and we are just working on finding others.
Other than that, just lots and lots of weed pulling for people. I am
definitely a professional by now! Haha. I love it though, it is really
rewarding to help people with things they can't do themselves. We
taught a lot of less-actives this week too. It was just a good
missionary week! We heard a homecoming talk in one of our wards and it
was the first time that I thought...hmmmm maybe I should start
thinking about some experiences that I can share in mine! Kinda weird,
but really amazing to think back and reflect back on what an amazing
experience this has been.

I have been thinking a lot about Alma ch.5 where he is talking about
experiencing a change of heart and singing the song of redeeming love.
I love the questions, "Have you received his image in your
countenances? Have you stripped yourselves of pride and envy?" It is
just a good self-evaluation for all of us. A change of heart isn't
easy, but it comes as we are acting and becoming more as Christ is.
The Gospel is so simple and yet so wonderful!

Hope y'all had a great week and are enjoying the summertime. I know I
am! Thank you all for your love and support, and don't forget to have
faith and believe in miracles. God is watching over us! Love you!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Sister Bigelow


P.S. A really awesome member let us make these awesome Idaho shirts to
remember our missions by! So fun!

Bearing your testimony is like weight lifting

Dear Family and Friends,

Good week! Pretty much the same as always, lots of service, and
teaching. And it is actually starting to feel like summer! So happy!

Zach is doing well and is headed to baptism at the beginning of July.
That kid just melts my heart. I love teaching him and seeing him
change and the light of Christ in his eyes. We tried to find some
investigators this week, but with no success. But I know that as we
keep working diligently, the Lord will answer our prayers and lead us
to those prepared people!




















I am so excited for my brother Jared and his call to serve in Korea!
It made me really emotional, and it made me really reflect back on my
own mission and what a blessing and privilege it has been to serve. I
know that all mission calls are inspired, and I know that I am exactly
where the Lord wants me. Too many miracles have happened for me to
deny that. As it is coming to an end, it just makes me want to work
that much harder and do all I can. Serving a mission is an incredible
experience. Hardest thing I have ever done, but the change I see in
myself and in others is worth every bit of it. Hurrah for Israel!

We got a new car this week! It was harder to part with the minivan
than I thought it would be haha. But it's nice, and I am grateful for
a car! We decided to walk in town a lot this week because the weather
was so beautiful and we are more successful that way. Unfortunately
since it is the first week of summer vacation, everyone has taken off,
and not a lot of people were home. But we just keep trying and having
faith! I got a real nice farmers tan to prove it. Life is good!  I am happy!

We had a zone training this week about developing Christ-like
attributes. SO good! I think that is one of the most important things
we can do. First, work on ourselves and become more like Christ, so we
can help others as He would help them. It was amazing, and the spirit
definitely told me some things that I need to work on. So I have taken
it to heart and really studied and tried to apply becoming more like
Christ. The task for this week.....humility! Seeking God's will in
everything, and then obeying no matter what, and being more grateful.
So thankful to have the time to work on and improve myself as I serve
others. I realize just how imperfect I am, but what a gift the
Atonement is, that we have the opportunity to try again everyday. God
is good!

Well, I hope y'all have a good week! Thank you for all the love and
support. I love being a missionary and bearing Christ's name everyday.
There is no greater calling! Quote of the week: "Bearing your
testimony is like weight lifting, it strengthens it!" So true. So go
out there and shout it to the world! The gospel is such a blessing.
Love you all!
Love, Sister Bigelow xoxoxo

"You can rest later"

Dear Family and Friends,
The sun finally decided to come out! I am one happy California girl!
Haha. It was a great week. Really busy, and I think I have hit the
point of pure exhaustion, but just gotta keep going and finish strong!
Elder Holland says, "You can rest later!" Onward ever onward!

We had a zone conference this week, and it was really good! All about
continuing to experience a change of heart, and teaching as the Savior
would. It really helped me to focus back on my purpose and really
acting as the Savior would. A lot of times, I just get into the
routine. I know the lessons because I have studied and taught them a
million times, but I really need to be prepared and pray specifically
for the people I teach and what they need. It was a good reminder to
not lose sight of what is most important, and that is the love that I
share with those around me. Jesus Christ is such an amazing example 

and I am thankful for him.
We also got to go to the temple!!!! Best kind of days. I was able to
really ponder and receive a lot of the inspiration and peace that I
needed. The temple is truly a gift and I love it so much. And I ate at
Taco Bell for the first time on my mission! Haha. Good times.

We got to do a lot of service this week! Everything from pulling
weeds, to dishes, to planting flowers. It was wonderful. I really have
found so much joy as I have been able to serve others even in the
little things. This week a member told me that just by simply
listening to her and her struggles, and being inspired in my response
meant the world to her, and I am thankful that Heavenly Father can use
me as his instrument to bless others around me. Those are the happiest
moments on my mission, and that is truly what this gospel and what
this life is all about. Helping all of God's children around us, and
not just because we have to, but because we love Jesus Christ and want
to serve him. Be genuine! That has been on my mind a lot lately. Life
is amazing!

 The work is good too. It has slowed down a little bit, but this week
we have plenty of free time to change that, so we are going to hit it
hard! Sister Borjas is so fun and I am grateful for her! She is a
really talented artist, and she likes to make comics of me and the
silly/hilarious stuff that comes out of my mouth sometimes haha. And
Zach came to church again!!! Whoooo! We get to take some girls out
this week with us that are leaving on their missions next week, so it
should be really fun! I remember doing that and what an example those
Sisters were to me, and I hope to be the same for them!

Sorry again that I don't have any really awesome or inspiring stories,
just been busy and trying to find people! The miracles I have seen
lately are small, but it is just another testament of God's love for
me and his children! Still loving Rupert. So excited for the summer!
That means more people outside that we can talk to :) Thank you all
for the love and support! I really appreciate it and feel your prayers
everyday! Keep on smiling!
Love, Sister Bigelow xoxoxoxoxo