23 February 2010

Hola Orem!


So sorry about this long time that I haven't been able to talk to you! But it’s been a crazy week! I'll update you a little.

So we arrived in Minnesota, and walked right on the other plane because our flight was going late. It was crazy. But then we arrived here in Omaha! We saw Pres. Kunz and Sis Kunz. They are really nice people. I like them a lot! They took us to a hotel room - and we got to nap for like 3 hours, which was nice, because I hadn't slept in days. Then we just had meetings and training the rest of the day. We ate dinner there. It was yummy. It was......I don't remember.

The next day, we went to the Winter Quarters Visitors Center, temple, and Kanesville Tabernacle. It was a cool experience to go to those places. It was freezing cold though!! The wind and the weather is just crazy cold. After that, we went on exchanges with some other missionaries. I went with Elder Curisinche, and Elder DeWitt with Elder Morrill. It was interesting. We just talk to everyone. They all speak so fast - it’s crazy! We taught one lady, Linda, for an hour and a half. After that, we had dinner at the mission home, then had a testimony meeting and found out our areas and comps.

My companion is Elder Curisinche (koo-ree-sin-chey). He is originally from Peru, but moved to Sandy when he was 13. So he speaks really fast. I don't know half the things he says....like all day! It’s so hard to speak to the people here. They speak so fast and it’s all slurred together. But I'm trying my darndest.

We are in South Omaha and the other Elders, (Elders Ward and Morrill) are in the North. There is only one ward here, so we all go to that.

Thursday morning, we got up at 5am, went to the transfer point, said a prayer, and then left. I drive a 2010 Chevy Malibu. :) Elder Curisinche can't drive because of his foreign status. So I get to drive all the time. It’s fun. So Thursday, we unpacked and went to talk to a lot of members so they know me.

Friday, we planned to see a lot of investigators, but they canceled. I had to take a driving test because of my former driving experiences. If I get one ticket, I can't drive anymore. So I've been driving better. But my car is really fast, so it’s tempting. We then had a planning meeting, and then we went and taught our investigator, Luz, who is getting baptized this Saturday. And I, yes I, am baptizing her. Elder Curisinche wants me to do it. So, yep, my first baptism within 2 weeks - all I did was show up and testify a few times. After we visited her, we visited a less active member, Gustavo. He's cool, but needs some guidance, so we talk to him a lot. Then we had a meal at the Rivera's house - Taco Soup.

Saturday, we talked to Moises; he owns a restaurant and has been investigating our church for 6 months. So we just talk with him and try to get him to come to church. The thing is he works 9-9pm every day, except Sunday, so Sunday is like his family day that he wants to share with the kids. But this week we are going to try and fix that. After that, we taught Linda again. She has about 6 kids there. She babysits them all, I guess. So we try to keep her focused, but it doesn't work out well. She's progressing, but very slowly. We're crossing our fingers with her. After that we had lunch with a member. We had beef and vegetables, and then beans and tortillas. It was good! After that, I think we just went tracting and then taught Luz again. (sorry, I forget what we do, and when we do it. It’s all a blur. We eat with the members a lot too.

Sunday, we drove to the north Elder’s apartment and we all went to church. It’s all in Spanish too....ha. Crazy! It’s so hard sometimes, but oh well. Luz and Gustavo were there. We were very happy about that. They really enjoyed the service. After church we had a meeting with the ward mission leader, Brother Gauff. He's cool! He's from Provo. He served in Argentina! We talked about our investigators and such. It was really good! After that, we had dinner with the Ortega's. We ate this bean soup with fried mashed potatoes in a tortilla. I think its called papas fritas? idk. But it was really good. The food here is really good. I like it. It’s spicy, but oh well. That’s why they make acid relief pills. It hasn't really affected me that much. So I’m good. After we ate there, we met at Hermana Casur's house, and she, Luz, and we went to the visitor’s center to have a tour and to influence the spirit in Luz. And it worked! We watched the Joseph Smith movie, and she loved it so much! She cried. The Spirit was so strong. Then I bore my testimony, and it doubled the Spirit. So great!

Monday. We woke up, drove to this stake center for our mission conference because Elder L. Tom Perry was there to talk to us. Our president spoke, an area authority, member of presidency of 70, then Elder Perry. It was really good. We had a chance to shake his hand and exchange a few words. It was way good! After the conference we had taco salad with all 150 Elders and sisters in the mission. I met some Elders from Provo. Elder Quitana, Elder Blazer?, and a Timpview alumni I know, Elder Hudspeth. It was good to see them all! We then took a mission picture and drove 20 minutes back to the apartment. Then we went and taught Linda about baptism. We challenged her to be baptized. And she said she'll think about it! So cross your fingers, eh? After we taught her, we went and did service for the Lopez family. We took the bathroom apart. They are re-doing it. It’s cool! We then went and talked to the Sandoval family (members) then Moises. He knows so much about our gospel it’s not even funny. He has read everything, seen everything, the only thing holding him back is going to church and being baptized. He is such an awesome guy, he's hilarious too! He said he loves us so much, we're his friends and stuff. But he needs to see his family more.

Today, we cleaned our apartment ultra. Mom, you would be proud. I am so neat and clean now it’s not even funny. Thank you for teaching me! I organized the whole kitchen, food, everything! It’s so clean. Our apartment is clean. Our apartment is comparable to our old house without the addition. It has a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two rooms, one is bedroom, and then one is an office. It’s not way nice, far from it, but, hey, it’s good enough for me. I like it. Except, the shower has no pressure at all!!! None. But it’s warm. So I’m good.

I'm loving it here. It’s so awesome to finally be here. I miss you all so much! You are all so awesome. Thanks for your love and support. May the Lord bless you all.

Love always,

Brad

17 February 2010

On February 16th at 4:30am, Brad called us from the SLC airport. is was great to finally talk to him. The whole family was on the phone (although I think Tanner was still half asleep). He sounded really good and he was excited to finally be going to Omaha. he was a little anxious about it too, but that's normal. I remember that I was very nervous while traveling to the mission field. He said a little someething in Spanish for us. It sounded pretty good.

It will be strange not having him just down the road from us, but it also takes away the temptation of trying to see him or meet him somewhere by the MTC.

We received the following letter (edited) and pictures from his mission president. He sounds like a very nice man. Enjoy.

-Don

**********************************************************

17 February 2010


Dear Brother and Sister Rigby,

What a delight it was to greet your Missionary, Elder Brad Rigby, at the airport. He was excited to have finally arrived in the mission field. The MTC is a wonderful place, but nothing like being in your field of labor.

We are impressed with his goodness and desire to serve the Lord. His presence will lift the overall strength of the mission. We can tell that his training at the MTC in Preach My Gospel has been effective. This will be a great blessing since the Omaha Nebraska Mission is a Preach My Gospel mission. It is our focus to help your son fulfill his purpose as a missionary, which is to, “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

Elder Rigby has been assigned to serve in the Omaha Spanish Ward of the Omaha Zone. His Trainer will be Elder Curisinche.

We will do our very best to keep your missionary safe and healthy. We are grateful to have Elder Rigby here with us in the Nebraska Omaha Mission. We love him already! We look forward to growing close as we are yoked together in the service of the Lord.

We have enclosed a picture of your missionary that was taken shortly after arriving in the mission.

Warmest regards,

President Milan Kunz Sister Leslie Kunz

This is a picture taken outside of the Winter Quarter's Temple (left to right)

President Kunz and Sister Kunz, Sister Hale, Elder Bartolomei, Sister Stranger, Elder Bahlmann, Sister Itri, Elder Rigby, Elder DeWitt

 

This was taken at the Winter Quarters Visitor's Center

(left to right)

Elder Rigby, Elder DeWitt, Elder Bartolomei, Elder Bahlmann, Sister Itri, Sister Stranger, and Sister Hale

This is a picture of Brad with President and Sister Kunz outside the Temple.

8 February 2010

Hola-

So I just got back from my nose cauterization appointment, so I'm still breathing in the fumes from my nose, so I'm pretty tired and tipsy. Ha-ha. So this week, the oldest district left! It was so weird without them. So I spent a lot of time getting to know the other districts. Because, you know me, I'm just a social FALCON. Yeah, I said falcon. Because I'm legit, I guess. Ha-ha.

Tuesday night, Elder Richard Hinckley came and spoke to us. It was one of my favorite talks ever! He speaks just like his father does. He's funny and he tells lots of stories. I guess a lot of changes are going to happen this year, like a 120 mission president's have been called, and lots of missions will be changed. So maybe mine might change? Weird. But it was a good talk.

Wednesday, we had class in the morning and we learned a lot! Then the afternoon, I spent it all in the doctor's office because of my nose! Finally, when it was time to leave, you bums wouldn't answer your phones! Then, finally, dad called back and I could leave!

Thursday, nothing happened except.....we got our FLIGHT PLANS!!!! So here they are: Next Tuesday, Leave SLC and arrive at Minneapolis, MN. Then, Leave MN and arrive in Omaha. So what I'm thinking is that I will call you before my flight leaves SLC, because I think I'll have more time, plus all of you will be home and I won't disturb work or school time. You just have to answer the dang phone!! Ha-ha. Wow, I can't type fast or speak English, it seems, right now.

OK, then Friday, Elder DeWitt was sick all day, so I stayed in the dorm all day and read, studied, you know, the works! And yes, I just happened to take a power nap because studying from 6:30 to like 6 is way hard!! It stunk.

Then Saturday, in the morning, he was sick again. So I stayed back in the morning and studied some more, and prepped for our lesson. This week was really good, but a lot of sitting! Later he felt better and we were able to teach the lesson. Then, after, he and Elder Simmonds were sick, so they went back to the dorm. (I personally think they were worn out and just wanted to sleep) But it’s cool.

Then Sunday rolled around. Fast Sunday. Aaah. My stomach was growling! And we had a two hour meeting! It was way good. I didn't fall asleep! So it was super bueno! Plus we had a lot more study time because of no meals. I read 3rd Nephi, and that book is so good! Jesus Christ is talking to the Nephites. It has a lot of insights for all of us, read it if you have the chance. My scriptures are like crazy marked now. I never thought that I'd enjoy reading this much, but I have learned so much!! It’s great. The Libro De Mormon is the best libro ever. So get reading it. It will bless your life continually.

So, anyway, later we had temple walk. I got some pics with George Kaaihue and Craig Bills, because it’s my last temple walk! So I got more pics, then I pigged out at dinner! It wasn't the greatest meal, as usual, it’s just whatever. Then we had the most boring fireside ever! This lady played violin, and wowee....Mom, you are a heck of a lot better!!! She kept squeaking sometimes and was totally off tune. In my notes I wrote, "My mommy is better than this lady." That was next to my doodles. Honestly, it was just a history lesson. So nothing really spoke out to me. So many heads were bobbing. It was funny. Then we watched the Joseph Smith movie again, then had some good chats at night, and went to sleep.

Today, I woke up early, went to the temple. I got everything done early today so I could go to the doctor and get my nose done. It’s funny. So many people talk to us missionaries more. If I were just a normal person, they would care less. But now, they are like all loving and stuff. Muy comico. And I saw Mary Tippetts. It was funny.

Hey, not much to say about this week. I know next week will be a lot more because two days out of the week, all we are doing is teaching lessons … all day! So I'll have a lot more to say. I found out, I'll be in the Omaha Mission Home until Thursday! I guess we have orientation with the President - which is cool. I'm pumped to go and actually bless some lives for real! I'm scared, but I know the Lord will provide a way! I love you all and miss you so much! Be happy and always love each other. Family is what it’s all about.

Love always,

Elder Bradley Don Rigby

1 February 2010

Hola Mi Familia-


Well this week was probably one of the best weeks in the CCM (MTC) so far. The Spirit between our trio has just been so amazing. I'm so grateful for your advice and support to me. It really does mean a lot to have a great family behind me! I miss all ya'll!

So not many stories for you today, not much happens here at the MTC as you know. But at the TRC on Saturday, we gave another powerful lesson to the volunteer. As one of the observers put it "you are as the sons of Helaman teaching with Spirit and power." That was such a good compliment to receive. Teaching in Spanish is so much easier. Maybe because we only know the facts and not all the doctrine that I know in English. So it’s easier to teach it in a more simplified way for an Investigator.

Saturday night, with Hermano West, he gave us updates on BYU-Utah game, because he goes to BYU. That was coool. But at the end of the night, we were gonna sing a hymn, and we only sing and pray in Spanish, but the hymn we chose was crazy fast. Also in Spanish there are twice as many words. So it just sounded like a bunch of idiots moaning. Ha-ha. And Elder Simmonds accidentally drooled on the desk. Then Hermano West just started crying-laughing, and so did all of us. So for 15 minutes straight we were just laughing. We couldn't even say the prayer. So Hermana Latu just said like a sentence one, and then Hermano West runs out into the hall laughing. We're all laughing, and he comes back in laughing. Wow. Just complete laughter. I love laughing. It’s just awesome. Like that one time Matt, Coulton, and I were just laughing and you guys came in so confused. Greatness!! Ha-ha.

Yesterday, we had a fireside at night, but the speaker didn't show. He had to go to the hospital. Sad, huh? But instead, we had a musical fireside where we just sang the whole time. I loved it! I love singing so much. If I could sing the lessons I would. Music brings the Spirit to me so much more. But how they did it was a missionary would bear their testimony of a song they like, then we'd sing a verse of it. There was like 25 songs! Including Risa, who picked a good one. I forgot what it was. I swear I'm losing my mind half the time.

I can't write in English. My letters are all slurred and dumb. And it’s just 2 months into the mission. I wonder how I'll be when I get back.

But after the fireside, Elder Poulson, Simmonds, and I had some fun. Elder Poulson left last night. It was sad. He and I got to know each other a lot. But it’s cool. I have to get used to saying bye to people anyway. So that district left. And we are the ELDEST district now. Weird!

I have two weeks left! Its so weird. We get our flight plans this week....I'll let you know about those when I get them - including calling you guys at the airport and stuff. We need to figure that out! Hmmm.....my pants don't fit. The summer ones that we got from Ross. They fit, but they are tight. I'm up to 20 lbs now!! Wow, I'm fat. Diet and work out program needed? YES!!! Oh, guess what? My watch broke....the analog part did? So I will send that and my memory cards home. Oh yeah. When you buy me my short sleeve shirts, do not get missionary mall....they turn like yellow!! My comps have the "missionary mall" brand, and they turned yellow. Luckily, I have Van Heusen and they are still white. Mom.....you were right. Mom is always right!!!

I love you all so much! I look forward to hearing about your lives. I love it so much when I get letters from you!!! I love you all with all my heart. The Lord loves you too.

-Brad