19 July 2010

Mon 7/19/2010 3:38 PM

Semana de Color!

Buenos Tardes Familia!

K, so first off. I forgot my planner so this email will be a little bit shorter because the week is just a blur! So I'll try my best to tell you as much as I can. This week was SOOOOOO hot. Wednesday was the worst day ever and we've been running low on miles, so we've succumbed to walking - which I absolutely hate to do in the heat. Plus, I’m a Spanish missionary - we don't walk. Ha-ha. But seriously, every doorstep we just sweat, sweat, and sweat. It’s so insane. All I do is drink water. It’s so crazy. But it’s fun. Just way different! But it was a good week. It went by so, so, so, so, fast! It’s crazy. I swear the months are just going by like nothing else. It’s so crazy! But the week was great; we had a lot of team ups this week, so it was way awesome to see the ward kicking in. I'm excited to see missionary work go on! But then again, it’s the Lord's time, not mine. I mean it’s been like 6 months since my last baptism, but our ZL has gone 1.5 years without one. So, it honestly isn't all about those at all. I mean I'm just doing what I need to do! :) Anyway, I'll get started.

Tuesday - uh....I can't remember anything. Elder Starkey went on team ups and Peccori and I tried some people but no luck. Boring day!

Wednesday - We walked around for what seemed forever. I was sweating so bad! But we did manage to find a new investigator! Guiermo. He's just great. He wants to be baptized and is always looking to learn more. It’s just great! So he's a hopeful for the week! And when we got to dinner at the Robles house, we moved a wooden swingset! It was insanely heavy, so I sweat some more. Then after that, obispo came and picked up Elder Peccori, Elder Starkey, and me and we went to the Sandoval’s house. By the time we got there, there was a huge! Huge! huge! thunderstorm. Like trees falling down in the road and crazy. I have a video of me dodging things as we're driving home. It was so fun. I love rough weather! So we went home early that night because we were advised to do so, because there was a possible tornado. It didn't happen though! dang it!

Thursday - So this day changed my outlook on the mission big time! It was great. We had our mission training! It was super great. I loved it so much and I felt the Spirit a ton! They made a new District video. It’s focusing more on teaching! it was great! I really did enjoy it. It lasted until about like 4. Then we went and taught Guiermo. The lesson before, he had offered us like 20 bones for the BOM. We're like, its free.Then he's like, well, I want to feed ya sometime. I said maybe next time (just totally kidding) and that day we had our lesson and I was ready to go, but I noticed in his prayer, he blessed the food. I was like.....uh? We have a dinner at 6 but we can't just say no. So he pulled out the lasagna and we ate there! Then we left and went to our dinner appointment and ate some more. Two meals - too much! I was so full. I wanted to throw up after that. So after that, wow, I was beat. But we went and taught some less-actives and then helped Sister Rivera out with some stuff! Then we went home and I collapsed.

Friday - Nothing much happened this day at all. We found a lost sheep though. We found a family of 9!!! That’s right, 9! The parents are members, but the kids aren't. We taught them the first lesson and it was really great! We challenged them to come to church, but they work on Sunday's. But I hope things start turning up for them. I don't remember anything else this day.

Saturday - We had some service in the morning as a zone. We cut trees down for like 2 hours, it was so fun. It was way hot though. I got a tan though! :) But while we were there, the assistants told us that we would be getting a new Spanish missionary this week. Weird. But we'll see where he goes. I think it'd be smart to have two area's in “O”town. But it’s the Lord's will, not mine! Then we were supposed to go to the trail center with Guiermo, but he canceled. He got stuck in Columbus with car trouble. So he didn't come to church either. So we had to improvise. So we went and saw a recent convert - which was great because she came to church the next day!

Sunday - Same old Sundays. We went to church, then to Torres house to eat. Then we went and had family home evening with the Sandovals! I love Sunday's. They are definitely more low key.

Monday - So we went to the YMCA today all morning. then came here. Then after this, I have no idea. Then we have a dinner and a lesson afterward! So ya! Good times.

Well, this week I have definitely learned to be more humble, I think. As I was praying the other day, I was wondering how I could be a better missionary. I had the answer to be more humble. So I've definitely been doing that. It’s very humbling every single time we eat at someone's house. These families, some of them, can barely feed themselves and yet they are always willing to give us something. It’s so great to see that. I think that giving our time and service to the Lord and our family we will be much better off. You know, amidst the things we have in our lives, I think sometimes we forget why we are really here. It’s "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"(Moses 1:39) and its great. We are so blessed to be here and to have chosen this path. I'm so grateful for the oppurtunidad that I have to be a missionary and to serve the Lord. I know that as I magnify my calling, I become closer to the Lord. So I urge each of you to do that this week. Magnify your calling and humble yourself and see what more you can give. I love you all so much, and I miss you a load! But I know this is where I need to be right now. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love always,

Elder Bradley Don Rigby