03 January 2011

Mon 1/3/2011 11:44 AM


Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Feliz 2011!! Que extrano!

So I can't believe that it is 2011 that is so crazy. Life goes by way too fast. But oh well, asi es la vida! So the last two weeks have been kind of weird, to be honest. They have been just a huge blur. Really!!! But things are going super well in Storm Drink, Iowa. So since I talked to you on Christmas, not much has really happened. I mean Wally and the kids are progressing along! We just need to set a date with them and get it done with. I think their main concern is that things are going too fast. But we have been teaching them for about a month now. So I mean, c'mon. This last week though, we really got the kids to listen in and now they have started asking us tons of questions, which is super awesome because if we can get the kids more interested and liking church and what not, I think the parents will come around as well!! We also have talked to Bonnie again and we managed to get the marriage counseling classes going. So as soon as they are done with that course and what not, they should get married and then baptized. So we have some good stuff coming up here. People just need to really put their faith in Christ and do the things that we commit them to do. Finally we got in contact with an inactive member who has kids that aren't baptized! They promised me that they would come to church, but they didn't. Sad! But they did leave us a note at their door explaining that they went to Sioux City! So I guess they had the thought to leave us something eh? But I think things will go well with her. She said she hasn't been to the church since Mexico and she really wants to come back. The daughter does as well! So I am hopeful with them. And to top the week off - after many times of contacting people on the inactive list and what not, we tracted. Now I have never needed to tract to find new people all day before. Maybe for like an hour, because we have always had people to see in other areas and we had a bunch of referrals. But we did. Now Spanish tracting is the best though. BECAUSE everyone lets us in. Elder Friddle did not know this. So the first door in the trailer park, let us in and we taught a lesson, second door, same story and third door same story. He was so amazed at the fact that people let us in. But the difference is, will they actually do the things that we ask? hmmm. We will see! So yeah! That’s good stuff.

The last two weeks I have had the opportunity to teach the Gospel Principals class. And it has really been so awesome! Each week I don't prepare anything, the lessons turn out the best. Yesterday I decided that my topic would be the atonement. But at the beginning of the class I ask the people to share any fun or cool experiences they had the past week. And yesterday someone told an experience on how their holiday travels they got a little bit lost and the radio came on and the first thing the person said is "I am here with you" and I was like. Holy Cow, I need to teach about God's Love for Us. And I did. And it turned out to be a very spiritual experience for all of us in that tiny room. Even Wally said that he now knows that God loves him. Now I did nothing. Most of the time the people were just telling stories and I told some stories of my own and tied some things together with scripture. But I honestly believe that Our Heavenly Father wanted the people in that room at that exact moment that He loved them, and I am very grateful that I could be that tool at that moment. I have noticed a difference in myself lately. I decided to get rid of a lot of old habits, and I have noticed an abundance of the Spirit as I go throughout the week. I feel as I have consecrated myself even more. And I have learned about true consecration when we watched the John Tanner story, if you don't know who John Tanner is. You should find out! His story is very amazing, and also John Rowe Moyle. They are some amazing saints from the pioneer times. I urge each of you to read about them. It will change your outlook on some things as well as it has for me!! The last two weeks have been greatly filled with holiday fun and I have really enjoyed it. But as we all must do, we must get back to work!!! :)

Well, I want you all to know that I love you and I miss you so much. But the work I am doing is making my life so awesome right now, I am the happiest I have ever been and I thank our Savior and Father in Heaven for that. The work is true, and all things that we do within the church are true, it is the only thing that will give us true happiness. I have gained a huge testimony that God loves each of us, and He blesses us so much. We need to put more trust in Him. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful 2011! Have a great week!

con amor siempre,

Elder Bradley Rigby