20 December 2010

Mon 12/20/2010 12:33 PM


Invierno en Iowa

Bueno Familia!! Feliz Navidad!!!

FIRST OFFF!!! CONGRATS MOM FOR PASSING YOUR PRAXIS!!! THAT’S AWESOME. I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!!! Ok, normal lettering now. So basically, I am not really going to write anything this week. [Because he will talk to us on the phone on Christmas].

Tuesday, we went to Cherokee and saw some people, one of which included a toothless old lady and a guy with a shedding dog, which got hair all over my coat. That was super enjoyable. Then we went up to Sioux City for Zone Conference. We stayed with the Spanish Elders. Their apartamento is soooo huge! It’s awesome. Next morning, we drove down to Council Bluffs and had zone conference. It was really enjoyable! We learned about having effective studies. It was really good. Then we had like a Christmas program thingy! It was fun. We did a white elephant gift, I got some Farty Putty. It’s pretty fun for like 15 minutes. I gave a workout scooter deal that I found at Goodwill. It’s pretty legit! But yeah! Then we drove back in like 4 inches of snow!! It took forever! We got to Sioux city at like 7 and had zone activity! - basketball and tim tam slammies!! Twas good. I haven't played basketball forever!!! Because I serve where there is no one to play with!! But yeah! Things are going well!! We had a good lesson with an Hispanic woman. She basically told me that Americans are racista [racists], and that our church will turn her into la migra [a migrant]. Which is NOT true, so I assured her on that fact. She just opened up to me. And no one knows what’s going on but me, everyone else speaks English, and she starts crying, and it was really good. I bore her my testimony and promised her that she would be ok if she follows Christ. It was a way spiritual lesson. We left, and my companion was like. WHAT HAPPENED? Why was she crying? Oh man, good times when I can speak Spanish and others can't! I can't wait to use that tool when I get home. Ha ha. But I also had church for the first time in this area! It was really good. I fasted and prayed for Wally and their family to come to church and set a date for marriage. Guess what? They came, and right after Santa Cena [Sacrament], they asked us if we would be witnesses at their wedding this week. CRAZY!!! The Lord blesses us so much; it is just awesome!

(Testimony of la obra misional [missionary work] for the ward) I cannot believe I have been out over a year now. The time flies when we are doing the work of the Lord. Being a missionary has changed my life so much. It has opened up my mind so much, and has built my testimony even stronger of Christ. First off, the mission is HARD!! Whether it is staying focused or being sad. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. The blessings that the Lord gives us and the spiritual uplifting that we feel, while we are out, is so edifying and amazing. I don't think I would have learned Spanish without the help of the Lord. And sometimes I can't speak Spanish, but as the scriptures say, if you but open your mouth, I will fill it! I can't count on my hands how many times I have been lost and not knowing what to say, or how to say it, and I just start talking and it is exactly what that person needed at that moment. Our Heavenly Father loves us SO much that He knows what each person needs at that exact second in time. And just being that specific tool to share the love from our Father is so beautiful. Nothing out here can be done without the Lord. Nothing. This work is lead by Him, and I feel of His love and presence everyday as I go out to preach the word. I know that this is an important work and what I am doing, what we are doing, is the greatest gift our Father gives us. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be here where I am at today. And I am so blessed to have the Spirit with me so I can discern the things that the Lord would want to happen if He were here. I love the Lord and I am grateful for His servants that He has sent to help us on our path back to Him. We must never give up on the work of the Lord, whether we be a nursery leader, or a bishop, we must always do what we have been called to do, because we never know whose heart we will touch and what blessings or plans the Lord has in store. I love you all and I am grateful to be serving the Lord out here. I hope that you all can feel of the Spirit of Christ as I do everyday - especially at this time of Christmas. May you all be showered with happiness and joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I just want you all to know that I love this season where we can remember Christ our Savior. He really did live and He really did bless everyone for the eternities to come. I know, as we are more Christlike at this time of year, we will have the Best Christmas that we can all remember. I love you all and miss you all as well! Have a Merry Merry Christmas!!! love you!!!
con amor siempre,
Elder Bradley Rigby