22 March 2010

Hola! Como Estan?

So honestly, not a ton went on during the week! But I will try to remember. I'm a tad bit forgetful today of things. I forgot my planner, and the stuff so that I can put some photos up. We were hurrying to go to the zoo so I spaced it. Anywho…

Monday - Nothing happened. P-day, then we ate at a members house late and then came home.

Tuesday - I went on exchanges with Elder Ward. We taught 6 lessons together, and I taught 50/50 with him. It was so nice to actually talk and just not sit there. We taught Linda and her Husband Marcos a great lesson. They loved it. And we scheduled another appointment. Then we talked to Maritza. She went on forever...I totally zoned out. Then we taught two less active families. And then the night was pretty much up! It was fun being with Elder Ward. We get along well and we taught pretty good together too. It was fun having a change!

Wednesday - We changed back after going to see father Bruun because he was mad that Elder Ward and I didn't run. We were tired, and it was St. Patty's! We went on our GQ fest! Elder Morrill and I talked to like 18 people. It was fun and we did it every other. So it was way cool. Then I honestly can't remember what we did after that. It was way warm that day - like 40 degrees. We didn't wear suit coats. It was a nice day. And it was funny seeing everyone drunk being hauled in buses. We went to a member’s house and had dinner, and then our appointment canceled, so we looked for references and went home and had a small district party.

Thursday- We woke up at 5 to go running with father Bruun. I ran 5 miles with that man. He's crazy. He's a member who goes running with us, and he believes that we are his children, and he makes us call him father. It was funny. After that, chinche had a meeting, so I went with the English Elders and saw people. Then we went to this place Pepper Jack and guess what game was on? BYU!~!!! All of we missionaries were watching, and then we left and found out later about the score. Then the rest of that day. . . hmmm.....we saw Vanessa. She is doing well. She has a member living with her now, but kind of an inactive one. But it does help. We reset her for 10th of Abril (April), but it may not happen. The bishop said she has to be divorced, but then our Mission President said she can be baptized. So ya.

Friday - I can't remember a thing from Friday other than that we went to eat at the Robles house, and I got a package (labels). Thanks again Dad! You'll save my hands! ha. That Tim Law called us! I shot him an email to hit us up when he gets here.

Saturday - Saturday was a great day! We started out with eating lunch at the Bishop’s house! It was good - lasagna, vegetables, and soda pop. After that, we taught Angel - a father of a less active. We had a great lesson about the 10 commandments. Then we reset him for 10 of abril (April 10th). He is way excited about going to church and stuff! Then we went to Marcos (Linda was sick) and we taught him a great lesson. He asked, “How will God answer my prayers?” So we got down right there and prayed. We told him to pause after asking the question to God if it’s true. You could just feel the Spirit in the room. It was like slow motion. It was legit! We asked him how he feels and he said, “Amazing.” We challenged him to be baptized and he said, “I would love to!” So also 10 de Abril. After that. We went to a couple people, can't remember who and then we went and saw Luz. (my baptism) and it was good! She had some questions about a friend and we helped her out. She's a really good convert. She comes to church; she wants to go to the temple; she wants to serve a mission. It’s so great. THEN, I called Tim Law up and asked him if he needed help with anything, because we always need service hours, and our appointments canceled on us. So he said, “Yes. I have some couches I need moved in.” So we went there. I saw Tim, Becky, Sharon, and little Austin and Addison Law! It was weird seeing people I know, especially ones that are pretty close! But I helped with the couches, and oh my goodness, I am so weak! I could barely hold on to the couches and stuff. Wow! I am way weak. My muscles are so small, then I'm fat. Wow. Diet for me now! When I get back I might have to go on The Biggest Loser! Ha-ha. Just Kidding But really, we've all been talking about changing our diets. Then after helping move, we talked. Then Tim said, “Have you eaten dinner? Do you have appointments tonight?” We said, “No.” So he took us to Applebees! We got some steak and ice cream, oh man. it was so delicious. I was so grateful for it. AND the BYU game was on again.  So we watched that while we were talking and eating. Sharon told me about Erica and I didn't believe her, so she texted Sarah. The text back said, “YES BRAD, she's engaged.” And I just started laughing. It’s just weird. Really, it’s just funny to me. I'm happy for her though. We stayed there and ate, played with Austin, and talked with the family and then left! We went home and planned.

Sunday - We got up and called all of our investigators and people we had taught. I prepared my talk. Then we left. We get to church. Two investigators showed up. (But not the two we were expecting.) Jaime and Teresa. They are part member family investigators, but they have been coming for a while. We just need to baptize them! After church. . . oh wait,. my talk went good. 10 minutes in Spanish. It was good. Then after church, we went to the north Elders apartments and ate din din. Then we were supposed to go the Trail Center with Vanessa that night. But she canceled - just like church. It’s so hard to get people to come to church. Oh well. I hope it happens soon! So last night we just walked around and visited members! It was good. It was warm enough to walk, so we did so.

Today- So today, we woke up, ate, and then went to the zoo for 3 hrs! I will send pictures next week! (As I told you earlier, I forgot everything!)

Thanks for the update on the cougs! I never really knew how the last game ended up. Allergies are good so far, but hasn't really began to be Spring. Just warmer. Wow. Bryan is already leaving? Weird! Doesn't Jordan leave Wednesday? Weird. Everyone is leaving. Mom – so, yes, I'm smiling! Always smiling!

Thank you all for your support and love. It’s going great out here. I mean there are rough patches, but life has rough patches. so I just have this in my mind: "TACKLE YOUR GREATEST TRIALS WITH YOUR GREATEST SMILES!!" That’s the quote of the week for all ya'll. I love you so much, and miss you. I hope you have a great week, all of you!

Love your favorite son, brother, and missionary,

THE ONE AND ONLY

Elder Bradley Don Rigby

15 March 2010

Hola Mi mejor amigos!

What it do everyone? So this week thank you all so much for writing me!! Now I have some good stuff to write back to siblings! Thank you so much. I love reading about your lives and hearing the joys!

I'm getting used to the weather now. It’s like 30's now, so it’s way warm! I don't get cold at all. It’s pretty weird how I'm used to the climate already

I'll get down to business on the weekly agenda for ya'll!!

So Monday, after I emailed ya'll, we went to our obispo's house. He's the man! We had pizza and planned things that we could do for the ward so people will magnify their callings and really start bringing more to the gospel. Because that’s what we all need to do as members of the church. (Moses 1:39 "to bring to pass the life and immortality of man")(don't make fun of me if it’s wrong, I've been only reading in Spanish!) That’s all we did that night!

Tuesday- I had my first set of exchanges! I went to the Benson area with one of the ZL's. His name is Elder Cahoon. He's from Alta, Utah, and he plays football for the U. We got along way good! It was so weird to teach in English. I could actually share stuff and not stumble over words. It was legit. We had fun! Elder Cahoon thinks I should be a zebra; he's like "You're so good, and you've been out like 3 weeks? Wow, you’re a spiritual bear." I was like, “Uh. thanks?” Because, I don’t know, in Spanish, I don't talk a ton, but in English, I just unloaded. I even GQ'd some Spanish people! I referred them to Elder Morrill and Ward. And, I guess, one of the people I GQ'd, has been looking for a church that has the complete gospel and the example of Jesus Christ. So they are probably going to be set! which is awesome, because the north elders have had some trouble finding people to baptize. They are finding a lot more people when we all do the GQ things! So its way good.

Wednesday- We had district meeting after Cahoon dropped me off. I had to train, in Spanish, about charity and love. It was good. I like teaching a lot. I just wish I could be completely fluent and speak what I want to say. The rest of the day wasn’t so good. Everyone seemed like they were busy! But we just gave them cards and tried to go back. We taught a good lesson to a new investagadore. She recepted it very well and so did her husband. We soft set them for baptism, and they are thinking about it. We haven't seen them since. They are never home. Then we went to see our sets. Vanessa and Ires - Not there again....durn!

Thursday- Was zone conference! It was way good! We learned about teaching simply and inviting the Spirit! Just pause and let the Spirit in. It was really good. I think it will really improve the mission. We just teachify! (teach and testify) and then we invite people to be baptized, just listen, don't butt in and say something. Let the Spirit teach. After zone conference we went to the Rivera's house. They are funny. Their little boy is hilarious. Sister Rivera and her boy (Sebastian) went to see our sets, not there. So we went to a referral and we found a family of 4 all baptizing age! We spoke so well and Sister Rivera added her testimony and they are good people. We are hopeful for them. Families are great, but hard to find them all together! We then went clear out to like 150th and team taught with these sisters who have another family! It was great! That’s another hopefully. So we have three good families right now: Sanchez, Vazquez, and the Martyn's. I'm really hoping for them!

Friday- This day was pretty good! We taught 3 new guys- Pedro, Pedro and Enrique! They are sweet because THEY called us. I GQ'd him and then Wednesday, he called us and wanted us to come over. So we did and had a really good discussion. They want to learn more. We are going to see them tonight! We teach so many people, it seems, and they always seem way good until the 3rd lesson. Then they always read some anti stuff, which is sad, but I have faith and hope for all of them! After Pedro, we went and visited Moises at the restaurant. He's so awesome! He's such a good guy. He committed to going to church next week too! He says he's liking it more and he's been reading the BOM and it’s a blessing – which is awesome. After that, a kid in our ward needed help with math, and so we went and helped him! It was hard to remember fractions and stuff. But I did it! Then we went the hospital and gave a blessing to a kid who has a brain tumor. He is from Lincoln and we were called by his girlfriend, who is an investigator. It was a good experience. This lady, his aunt, was repeating our blessing aloud. It was kind of weird. They do that a lot here - repeat our prayers and blessings aloud and say AMEN, or HALLEJUHA! It’s funny. After that, we went home.

Saturday - We went to the Robles house for breakfast. Oh my yummy! Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, just a homemade, American meal that I haven't had since I left home! It was so good. Then we went to the visitor’s center with a member’s boyfriend and watched the Joseph Smith film. I fell asleep during it. I was so tired and I've seen that film like 10 times since I've been here. But they didn't see me so don't worry. It was only for a second. ha-ha. We went on a tour and then the other family from 150th came too. It was good! I liked it. Then I filled out a family history thing because I keep seeing a Jane Rigby on a wagon trail journal. She said she'll look. After that we had a meeting for stake conference that we had to translate. Then no one was home all night. It stunk! So we went home at 9...boo!

Sunday- I woke up early because of stupid day lights saving. I definitely wasn't happy about that. Then we went to stake conference to translate again. It was so weird listening in Spanish and English at the same time....I was getting a head ache. I had to search for the scriptures in Spanish and give them to whoever was translating. One investigator came, which was way good! She's the one we are team teaching with the Sisters. Her name is Maria, she really likes our church! After stake conference, we visited 5 less active families to see what’s up. Most of them were half asleep. Then we went to go see our sets. Apparently Ires is missing and the cops are looking for her - bad news. And Vanessa is pregnant. So we were happy about that I guess. But a member that just moved here is way good friends with Vanessa, so she is going to be a big help! I hope all is well though. After that, I can't remember what we did. We have been trying to drive less.  We get 1140 miles a month to cover a 70 mile wide area. We get just as many miles as English missionaries who have like a 10 mile wide area. So the north Elder and we always have to worry. We are going to talk to the President about it, because, seriously, now we have to go clear out to 150th for two families (which is like 50 miles round trip), and we have some people in Iowa. So hopefully we can figure something out where we can still preach the gospel to the people and not just cut them because we can't drive there.

Monday- Today we woke up and just kind of chilled. Elder Morrill and Ward came over. We just talked, then we went to the Sandovals. They are so bomb. They are way funny. We did laundry and then we went to Thrift World. It’s like DI. I found some way sweet ties and some good Spanish gospel singers! By the way, have you ever heard of Rebecca Lopez? She's from BYU and she's so good. We love listening to her. I also got a little tote bag. It’s been a good, fun day as a district. I love it here. Omaha is pretty ghetto and it’s way different than Utah. It kind of looks alike, but like 50 times dirtier, a lot more homeless people, and people begging for money. A lady followed us for like 8 minutes in the store asking for money. So finally Elder Morrill gave her a quarter and she walked off. Good times.

Family, I love you all so much. You guys are great. Thanks for the videos; they seriously brought me so much joy! You guys are so awesome. I can't wait to hear from you next week. I love reading this stuff. It’s just great the family and all. It’s weird that we're all growing up, but I'm proud of each and every one of you. Keep working hard. This experience has been a blessing in my life. It has gone by fast. I can't believe that I've been here for a month. It really is quite crazy how fast it goes! But it’s awesome - wouldn't trade it for the world. Los quiero mucho familia!!! Tengan buen semana!!!

-the ONE and ONLY!!!!!
Bradley Don

8 March 2010

Hey Fam!

So I'm so out of shape, I decided. I just played basketball and I could only grab the rim with one hand! I still played pretty well. It was fun! We played for 2 and 1/2 hrs! Then Elder Curisinche wanted to leave - he's foreign and likes soccer. Ha-ha. And he was tired. But it’s all good!

Weekly update:

Monday. So after p-day stuff, we went to a members house and had FHE and dinner. It was good! Burritos, and some seafood dish. It was delish. Then they brought out a cake and sang to Elder Morrill. Then, I guess it’s a Spanish tradition to stick your face in the cake, so he did. It was good! Then we played some games and left. The Robles family is so fun. They are cool.

Tuesday: We had district meeting in the morning! Then we ate some lunch at this place. I had a huarache. They are so delish. So I've decided that all this stuff is legit Mexican food and all the stuff at the restaurant's at home…that stuff is Americanized! In real Spanish culture, they don't even have guacamole! They just have avocado! The rest of the day, all of our appointments fell through, except one with an inactive family. They are a way good family, but they just are lazy, I guess. We're trying to get them to come. But they didn't show up yesterday.

Wednesday: This day was a great day. In the morning we went GQing. And to answer dad's question, a GQ is a Golden Question, it’s pretty much tracting, but we just go up to people and ask them a random question like "Have you ever wondered why there are so many churches on the earth, yet there is only one God?" That kind of thing. Then we usually ask them for an address and phone number, and give them a card. It takes like 2 minutes..That way we find a lot more people. Between the four of us in our district, we contacted 40 people. I went with Elder Morrill. He's funny. He's a lot like me, we had fun. We questioned some random people, when we questioned a guy, he was like “Oh hermanos!” We said like, “Hey!” And then he said, “I'm hungry, I'm poor, do you have something to give me?” So we said, “Yes, we have this wonderful book about Christ.” Then he said, “I'm Catholic. I love Christ. He's my savior, but what do you have?” We opened the book to the picture of Jesus Christ, and he said, “NO, NO, NO, I don't want that.” We were like “Uh? ok.” There were a lot of people on the street that we were on. Like 40 Hispanics. They just sit there and wait for someone to drive up and give them a job for the day. It’s pretty crazy. After that, we had, seriously, all of our appointments fall through, except dinner with a member. We ate Fried Chicken. It was delish! I hadn't had that stuff forever! But then we went to some more appointments....nothing. Then finally, we decided (Elder Curisinche and me now) to go see our set.(a person set for baptism), so we went to her house! She was there! and she had brought a friend. Her friend is Ires. We taught the plan of salvation. And by the end of the lesson they were all crying. It was good. So we challenged her to baptism, and they both said “Yes!” So we have two sets now. But we have to move their dates because they didn't come to church this Sunday again....;ugh! We have stake conference next week.

So I hope they come to church so they can be baptized...that’s the thing. We teach them, they are progressing, but they don't come to church....ugh! That night, after we parked. I looked at the odometer and it said 777! Which, to me, means heaven. Automatically a good day.

 

Thursday: Elder Curisinche had a meeting all day, because he is DL. (District Leader) So we dropped him off, and I went with Elder Morrill and Ward. It was fun. They have some interesting investigators. We even found a Gandolfo's!!!!!! YES! So Ii had to eat there, of course. I didn't know they had such treats in Omaha! Usually there is nothing! But oh my goodness, it was so delicious to the taste. After that, we picked up my companion, and went to a family's house to eat dinner. We had floutas. They are kind of like tequitos, but with like a potato, cheese, chicken inside. They were delish.. Then honestly. Nothing happened. We GQ'd some referrals. But they didn't have time. After, we went with the ward mission leader to a less active family. The family was huge. They have a lot of problems, but they have really sweet spirits. We want them to come to church. Then we went to Moises' Restaurant. And he asked Hermano Goff so many questions, and Hermano Goff answered them all, Oh my! It was such a good conversation. I think it really did make a difference with Moises. He knows so much about the gospel. And he's such a great guy. Positive, always happy, and his wife is the same. Great family. I'm hoping something happens with him soon. Hermano Goff is going to work with him more. because with the Goff's family support, they would make good friends. After that, we went home at like 10. A tad bit late, but for good reason.

        

Friday. Nothing happened at all. We visited three people: the family that’s inactive from Tues., this girl, her name is Esmiralda, (We talked with her for a bit, but she's a predominantly Christian and she understood. But, I don’t know, we didn't feel it), then Jose’. (He's a way chill guy and he really understands the gospel. But it’s hard to find him. We tried seeing him Saturday, but nothing.) Then we came home. Friday went by fast, but not a lot of people were there.
   

Saturday. We went out to Council Bluffs, Iowa to find some referrals, We couldn't find them, but we had like 3 GQ's. So we visited a member and he came to church yesterday! Which was good. We were happy about that. Then we drove back west because we had some appointments. We found one, Alfonso. He and his wife, and two Peruvians were there. They have been to temple square and loved it. So we were feeling good. Then we showed them the restauracion video and then a field of questions happened. So yeah. My first “bible bashing” experience. We didn't want to at all. We were like, “Well....we have another appointment,” but then they just kept going. We were there for 2 hours. It was good, I guess, because they want to meet with us again. They said they will read the Book of Mormon and see what’s up. So we'll see what’s going on. They seem like great people, but they know their stuff! After that, we couldn't find anyone again.....ugh. So we just left cards, and GQ'd. A lot of our appointments always fall through, but we have tons of referrals to visit. Often they are busy. Sometimes not there, but we try to find them.
          

Sunday. None of our investigators came to church....ugh! But three less active families came and it was great! After church, we had dinner with the office sisters! The fed us some good Irish food. It was yum. Then we went and visited a less active, she has been a member for 20 years, but got offended at church. Then we went and taught a family and it was a perfect lesson! They understood it, they loved it. They want us to come back again. They are going to read the BOM as a family. Just all perfect! So we hope to keep on with them.

Today, woke up, did laundry at the Sandovals house, wrote some letters, then we went and played basketball with our zone. It was fun. My zone leaders are cool. One of them plays football for the U. But he's still cool - other than that. Now I'm here at a community library! This is where we do our emails - in a room of like 30 computers. It’s pretty cool. Nice place. I need to get going to get dressed and go to dinner with the obispo! I hope you all have a great week! I love you all so much. You are on my mind all the time.:) you guys are so awesome. Vayan con Dios!!

Love always,

THE Elder Bradley Don Rigby

1 March 2010

Yo Familia!


What's crackin’ in the 801?? It’s so great here. I'm loving it! We just had another person set for baptism on Friday. It’s awesome! K so my weekly updates and stories!

Wednesday: We had to go to the North for a District Leader meeting for my companion. So I went on an Exchange with Elder Varhaaren and we talked to nobody - which sucked. But then after that, we went to downtown Omaha and went GQing with all the DL's and ZL's, we did it in English. And let me tell you, Americans are jerks!! All we'd say is “Hi,” and they would say "Go AWAY!" Yet everyone Hispanic we talked to gladly accept our word. Hispanics are so much easier to talk to, they aren't rude, and they actually listen. It’s good. I like that I'm Spanish speaking, because if I weren’t, I would hate to get turned down a lot. On the other hand, we just knock on a door and the Hispanics invite us in and listen to us! Anyway, after that we talked with Linda. She's kind of progressing, but not much. So we might cut her. We then talked to the Familia Chavez. Apparently they were all ready to be baptized about 5 years ago, but then backed out. So we're crossing our fingers with them that they can come back to the fold. Then we had dinner with the members (Gaytan). Oh my gosh! It’s so delicious! They make some good eats out here. All Mexican food, mind you. Ahh, so delish!

Thursday- We talked to this guy, Roberto. He wants to get baptized and come to church! It was great. We're going to challenge him this week. Then we got another referral for Council Bluffs, Iowa. We talked to her and the lesson made her cry! It’s so bueno! We are hoping to have those two set as well! So hopefully we will have 3 baptisms this month! Then we went to the temple! My first experience in the Winter Quarters Temple. It was great! It’s so small though! Our whole zone filled up the room. But hey, I love the temple. It’s great. Then we had our baptismal interview with Luz. She did great!

Friday- Nothing happened all day. All our appointments fell through. Then we arrived at a referrals house, Jose’ Castro. He opened the door and he, his daughter, and we watched the video Finding Faith in Christ. They both teared up. Then we taught the restoration and asked them to be baptized. Vanessa accepted!! Boom! Jose’ is going to think about it. He likes alcohol a lot. (He was actually drunk when we were there.) But the best part is that Vanessa is going to be baptized! We were so glad to hear that she has a friend who is a member, so that’s super too! The rest of the night we prepped for the baptism!

Saturday- Every single appointment fell through again. So we just visited some members we knew in the area and got some more referrals. Then we visited Luz and made sure it was all ready to go. Then we traveled to the church, filled the font, and prepared the program. And then the service began! It was a good service. We even had a couple investigators show up. We hoped they would feel the Spirit. So I got into the font. She was bawling. I felt bad. And to make matters worse, I had to do it twice because her feet popped up! But it was quite the spiritual experience for me. After I got out, I realized I had no towel....ha-ha. So I used my shirt to dry off! I just spun around in circles until I was dry. But after that, I really thought about when Jesus was baptized, and it, seriously, is so awesome to baptize someone and see the joy in their face. It was such a great experience. After that, we contacted 3 referrals who are golden! They asked where the church is! We made appointments with them!

Sunday- Sunday's are pretty chill in the morning! We just studied until about 11. Then we got ready and picked up the north Elders. They made us lunch. And then we went to church. My companion taught Sunday School...so he picked on me a lot. Then I said the closing prayer. Then right as we get out, the 1st counselor asked me to say the opening prayer in sacrament meeting, then the Elders Quorum President asked us to bless the sacrament! They choose me just because I'm white and I'm new. Everyone, and I mean everyone, everywhere, asks me to say the prayer. It’s like they want to hear me mess up? But, hey, it’s good for me because I need to get better at speaking the language. But, hey, it’s fun. During sacrament meeting we Confirmed Luz and gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was great as well! It really is such a humbling, awesome experience to see conversion in people. After that, we had our meeting with the ward mission leaders to see more referrals and to work more as a ward to get more people. I never really knew all this stuff went on behind scenes! I didn't know what the ward mission leader did until now. But really people need to work more in the wards to bring people unto Christ. After church we had dinner with the Rivera's. We had lasagna. It was delish. After dinner, we contacted inactive members. It was good. They all just say they are too lazy to come to church. Hopefully they will come this next week!!

I live right down the street from the College World Series place. It’s awesome. They are building a new one over by the Qwest Center. The electric blanket is money in the bank! I love that thing. I probably won't need a bike because my area is huge because we are Spanish! I cover from Iowa to the very west part of Omaha! We do get a money allotment but we don’t use it all because we eat with the members so much. But I use it to buy other stuff still!

Thank you for everything you do for me. I really am so grateful. I love it out here so much. It really is awesome to do the Lord's work! Love you so much!!

Love always,

Elder Bradley Rigby