28 December 2009

First off, thank you so, so, so, so, so, much for all the Christmas gifts! I loved them all!


But FYI, things with my companions are a lot better. I have the Lord answering my prayers for that. Also my district bonds a ton too. We all have so much fun! Too bad Turley and Deans leave next week for the Dominican. Oh well! We still have Au and Simmonds. Sacco left today....he was a good friend! But it’s all good. It happens.

This week went by so fast, except we had all subs! So I couldn't really talk to Hermano Nevers about being related. We learned how to knock doors in Spanish and teach the first lesson! It seems that I'm the only one that talks. It’s good for me, but bad for mi companeros. So Saturday, we had our teaching appointment (we knock on a door and teach to an investigator) and I pretty much didn't talk. I told my companions to do it and I'll come in when I can tell they’re going off on a tangent. And I did. I'm actually really good at talking to people. It’s easy. I think all those things in mutual and church prepped me so much. Without it, I would be so lost - like a lot of people are. I’m so glad I was raised the way I was. If not, I would be so silent and just say, “uh...” whereas now, I just talk, testify, and teach. I love it! It feels so good!

The Spanish is coming very well, I am learning a lot more, and I'm always speaking it! (thanks for the advice dad). So everything is good from the MTC! I love it here! Thank you all for the support!

I'm happy to be out here, and happy to hear about my family. I love getting letters and stuff - it makes me so happy! Really!

I couldn't find the gloves.....and I'm getting a cold! It sucks. Everyone is sick here. Oh well. Oh and could you send my O’neil red and black hoody? Its so cold in the mornings for breakfast!

Well I love you all so much! Tell Risa that I look forward to seeing her on Wednesday! Maybe she'll be in my zone? That would be fun! I love you all so much. You guys are great! Write me more letters! and I will snailmail them back to you!

Adios mi marvilloso familia!

Love,

Elder Bradley Rigby

Monday, 21 December 2009

We recieved an email and a letter from Brad. the following is a edited combination of the two.

Dear Family,
They won't let us write or email until p-day, which is today! But thank you so much for the letters I have gotten. It was so good to hear from you. I just barely received it on Friday because we had no district leader yet. And guess who got called as district leader?? ME. So you should be very proud. haha jk. Wednesday, after you dropped me off, my host, who I know from school - pretty much comforted me cuz I was bawlin’ my eyes out. But they just give you info, take your picture, then take you to your room and you drop off stuff except all your study materials, then I went to class. After class, we went to dinner, it was chicken. I could barely eat. Butterflies and homesickness. After dinner, went to these teaching things where they try to make missionary work look fun.

Guess who one of my teachers is? Shaun and Mark Nevers younger brother. So I talked to him about knowing his brother and stuff. Then, I met my companions: Elder Dewitt and Elder Nelson, my (assigned) companion never showed up, I guess. Oh well! But Elder Dewitt is 22 from AZ and going to Omaha, way clean and neat, doesn't play sports, has never kissed a girl, and plays a lot of computer games and reads. Elder Nelson is 19 from Clinton, UT, going to Toronto Canada clean, was in band in high school, and has never kissed a girl. So what I'm describing to you is exactly opposite of me! Oh, and to top it off, they are both very, very, very, shy and private. Funny how the Lord puts us with people who have no common interests with us eh?? I get along alright with them, but it’s hard to talk with them, because they don't answer. I'm still getting to know them, it’s getting better. My district has 10 peeps, my 2 companions, then Elder Turley and Deans, Elder Au and Simmonds, and 3 Hermanas, Latu, Gines, Gowans. I get along with everyone. Elder Au is 6' 9" and 380 lbs! He's so huge! You'll see in my pictures I will send! Others in my zone I get along with: Elder Sacco is from Riverton, he played baseball, Elder Richins he's so cool, from North Summit- played football and basketball. Just that whole district of Elders is way sweet!

My schedule: Most the time we just have class for 9 hrs a day, 3 meals, and yeah. But half of those classes are just study time. I am getting the Spirit a lot into my life, and I seriously am so happy about that. I thought the MTC would be hard and such, and it is, but I'm loving it so much. I love the language, I love the Spirit, and I love the people. I'm learning so much stuff! I like just reading or practicing my Spanish. I kinda like speak Spanglish now. Elder Turley and I are the only ones who took Spanish in school, so on Friday morn when we didn't have a teacher, he and I taught Spanish to the district!!

My Branch President, President Studdard, is such an amazing guy! He knows so much and has done so much with the first presidency and stuff!

First night, this kid named Elder Hurley, he was pitching in the hall, so, of course, I joined in! It was so fun! Last night, this guy spoke in a fireside, it was so good! And then we had our temple walk, everyone was like, “Wow!, Its cold and this is a pretty view.” I'm like, it’s not cold, I've seen the view a billion times and I can see my house from here. I love you all so, so, so much!

Feliz Navidad.

Love,

Elder  Bradley Rigby

Going to the MTC

Brad was set apart as a full-time missionary on 15 December 2009 at about 9:45pm. It was a very Spirit filled meeting full of joy and tears. The picture on the left is of the Brent Roberts (Stake President), Brad, and Brett Rich (Bishop). Two men that we are grateful for. The picture on the right is family that attended the setting apart. (left to right: Grandpa Rigby, Tanner, Terri, Colton, Brad, Grandma Rigby, Don, and Jessica)

We spent the morning of the 16th together as a family. We had a good american breakfast (bacon, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, OJ) and then we spent the rest of the time helping Brad get packed and ready to leave. There was laughter, silence, tears, and hugs. Emotions were all over the place. We then drove to the Provo Temple and spent about a half an hour taking pictures, talking, hugging, and saying our goodbyes. It was a time together that will always be remembered. We then drove down to the MTC and dropped him off at curbside slot #20 at 1:30pm. He officially started his mission. The family spent the rest of the day missing him.