18 April 2011

Mon 4/18/2011 10:15 AM


Los Traslados :(

Buenos Dias,

Well, I got transferred to the Cottonwood Ward (Omaha, NE). Our area got white washed with Spanish elders! Which is good! So last week was just madness, to be honest with you. I thought for sure I was staying in the area, but I guess the Lord had different plans for me. I am with Elder Payne from Pocatello Idaho. He is cool. I have served around him a lot, so we get along really well. He goes home in July. And my other companion is Elder Werrett, from Portland Oregon. He has been out the same time as me. We go home together. I have also served around him a lot as well. We all get along really, really, really, well! So I was happy about that. It’s weird why I am with Zone Leaders, yes. I asked President about it, because I did nothing wrong. He said that he just really wants me in leadership a lot, so this is kind of a stepping stone to that. It’s not because I was disobedient or because I was doing bad – because I wasn’t. He just wants me to really flourish in leadership and stuff. So yeah, that’s all I really know. As far as my companions go, they treat me like an equal. They call me a zone leader and I do everything that they do. So yeah, it’s pretty good that I am not like feeling demoted at all. They just treat me the same, which I am happy about.

Leaving Storm Lake was very hard. I cried, to be honest. I haven't cried my whole mission, and I cried. I love that place so much. So many things happened there for me and I really feel so close with the people who I met there. They truly will be eternal friends of mine. But I told them all that I will be back next year in February to see Wally and Michelle get sealed in the temple. Permitting that my parents come with me! (aka you pay for me cuz i am poor hahahahahaha) :) Tuesday and Wednesday we just said goodbye to everyone: the Olsons, Grants, Lupers, Gores, Hinotes, Lourdes, Kelly's, Flores, etc. - all these great people. It was hardest saying goodbye to the Hinotes and Lourdes. They are our recent converts and we really got close with them. So that was hard. But oh well. We are all put through things for a reason right?? So then I showed up in Omaha Wednesday night and stayed with the Spanish elders until like 3pm on Thursday, then I came with my companions.

This area is in the rebuilding stages right now....so Friday, the rainiest day I have ever seen, we tracted. We seriously walked like for 5 hours. I was soaked all the way through to my garments. Luckily, I put all my items in a plastic bag, because my bag was completely soaked all the way through. There are a lot of Spanish people in the area, so I got to talk a lot. I will probably only teach them the first lesson and then turn them over to the Spanish elders - which I am alright with. I will be speaking Spanish every day still. Plus, I call the Spanish elders a lot during language study to just talk to them. So the Spanish will be maintained!! Saturday, I went with the office elders all day. It was so fun. I consider myself the mission wild card. When they need something, I do it. So Saturday, I went with the office elders and took stuff all over Lincoln. In a couple weeks we are probably going to Lexington or Sioux City. So yes. I get to drive the transfer van!! Which I have always wanted to do!! It will be a fun transfer. We are working out, feeling the spirit, and just doing the work. It’s all around going be really good.

Sunday was a really good day. We taught a lot of less-actives. One investigator, John and Aubrey Peoples. They are soo cool! We just met them. They fed us yesterday. John is a member, but has never been active. Aubrey is his wife. They work in the airport towers. But we taught them yesterday and they are definitely our most promising people right now. Things are going to get a lot better! I see a recurring pattern in my mission - I come into kind of slow areas, and I make them fast! I love it. I think I like coming into slower areas, because there is nothing better than starting at zero - you can only go up!!

I am really excited about this transfer. I am just going to grow so much more as a missionary, spiritually, and I will get physically fit. We have so many exercise weights. So I will definitely improve everything. There are some Spanish people in the ward, so I am really excited about that. Plus, there are always exchanges with the Spanish elders, so all is well. I am just living good, learning a lot, and just becoming a better ambassador of the Lord. I love this work and I can't wait for this transfer. Things are going to be good!! I hope you all have a happy Easter. We must remember what Easter is truly about, the Savior and what He has done for us. I pray that each of you will focus on the Atonement this week and have a fantastic week! I love you and I miss you!

Con amor,

El Elder Bradley Don Rigby