11 April 2011

Mon 4/11/2011 12:01 PM

Tornados??? Que Chido!

Bueno Bueno-

So the weather this week was crazy. It’s rumored that we had 12 tornados going around the area of Storm Lake this week. LOCO!! And of course, I, being the thrill seeker I am, was looking for them all night! But among the darkness, power outages, and golf ball sized hail, I didn't see one! I guess that’s a good thing, I am sure all of you are saying. But my whole mission I have always wanted to see a tornado. Not close, but from afar. I think they are amazing, They may be disastrous, but they peak an interest in my mind. The way the wind swirls around in a circle and just looks crazy - awesome! Alas, I didn't see it. But good times are when the mid-west storms come in! I love the storms here. It’s so peaceful to watch the dancing lightning and to hear the roaring thunder. It’s nice.

This week is the horrid transfer week. Where will I be? I don't know. Who will it be with? I don't know. All I know is that it happens this week and it could affect me. I find out on Tuesday or Wednesday. That’s all I have to say about that.

Work wise this week. It was kind of scatterbrained to be honest. We tried to see a lot of people. And we didn't have too much success. It’s all good though. We did teach Tayler though. We taught him with his Presbyterian youth leader. It was quite interesting. I was anticipating a bash. But no! We started out by teaching the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, so the essentials: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Gift of the Holy Ghost. And to us that would be quite basic. Well she [the youth leader] started asking questions. And I was like, “Oh no.” But man, Elder Friddle and I were just hitting her with scriptures and answers, and we stumped her hard core. She said, “This stuff is so, so, so, deep. It’s way over my head.” I was like, “What?? This is the basics!” But I know that we were definitely following the Spirit, because there is no way we knew all those scriptures before. We talked afterward, and were like, “Where did that come from? Oh yeah, our third companion. :) ” It’s just awesome to see that Heavenly Father is always watching out for us. I know Tayler felt the Spirit because he began to ask us more and more questions and then he started like teaching his youth lady. It was really cool to see him do that. I am excited to see him progress even more. Next step with him, meet the Parents. :/

So I want to tell ya'll that fasting is the most awesome tool. We all need to use it more. It’s so much more than just giving up food for several hours. This last Sunday, we had a zone fast. And we fasted that the members would help out a lot more, and really get into missionary work and into sharing the gospel, because we can't do it alone. Tracting does squat. So we are trying to get the members more missionary excited. I earnestly believe if every family brought one of their friends to church, the congregation would almost double. So anywho, we were fasting. Well President Olson [the branch president] gets up on Sunday to speak. And guess what he talks about??? Yeah, you guessed it, member-missionary work. He said he was going to talk on something else, but he felt inspired to talk on this. WOW!!! It was really good. I looked at everyone in the congregation and they were glued to his words. The Lord works in mysterious ways, but fasting is no mystery to me. If we earnestly fast for something that is truly needed, the Lord will help us out. So fast!! It’s a great tool.

I am a little nervous about transfers this week, to be honest. But I know, whatever happens to me, it’s the Lord's way. And it’s what He wants me to do. It’s crazy that’s it’s already that time again. Time goes by when you’re in the vineyard of the Lord. I love you all and I miss you all so much. I hope that you can help bring someone to church this week. Even in Utah! It’s our duty as members of the church. I pray for you and your constant success always. Love you so much!!!

Con amor,

Elder Bradley Rigby