21 March 2011

Mon 3/21/2011 10:29 AM


Nadie Estuvo


Buenos Dias Familia,

So honestly this week was one of the slowest weeks of my mission. I have never seen so many people not home! It was so crazy. So for the work, it was a pretty difficult week for us. But we continued on! We prayed that we would be more diligent, and Our Father in Heaven just has great ways of teaching us things and answering our prayers, doesn't He? I wonder if He ever just chuckles at us, not because it’s funny, but because He loves us so much you just need a laugh every now and then. :) I believe so.

So this week we tried everyone in the book and even more, and still no one was home. I mean, yes, we got to see a lot of Less Actives, but no investigators at all. I think we saw like 3 the whole week? Which is terrible! We need to bring them into the Lord's arms right now! But I am sure wherever they were, it was important. I just hope and pray that we are able to see them this week! We were able to show Brother Kelly the Joseph Smith film, and he invited us over to show him some other movies, which is kind of a breakthrough for us. We are trying to get him to recognize the Spirit more, so that he can have that solid feeling that the church is true. So we are hoping to make some big progress with him this week! (If you can't remember him, his whole family is members. One son is on a mission, and one is about to get married in the temple, and two other sons who are very active. He has a calling in the branch, he comes every week and participates, and knows everything. Just has never received a definite answer to be baptized!) So we are praying for their family constantly!

Otherwise, the weather has been quite pleasant, which is good. It hasn't been too cold nor too hot. So I am content with my surroundings at the moment. The only complaint I have is the smell from the factories is a lot more present. I can't even begin to describe to you the smell....I won't start. Okay, I will start. It smells like rotten eggs mixed with fried onion rings, and pork rinds, and just NASTINESS! I hope one day you can experience the smell of Sara Lee and Tyson factories. It’s great. The lake is thawed though! It is my first time seeing actually water, It moves a lot, it actually looks like a river, it moves so much. It’s quite weird.

This letter is quite short and sweet, but I know this week will be a lot better. I have a good feeling. Today we are going to Sioux City because we have a conference there tomorrow - So that will put us a day behind. But we can do it. I know that with the Lord's help, anything is possible. I remember getting to this area just disgusted and thought it was going to be a terrible place. Little did I know it’s paradise! And I know with staying positive and praying constantly for the help of the Lord to bring success and happiness to this branch has brought me unbelievable happiness. I sincerely feel that a lot has changed all because I exercised faith. He does everything in this work. And even when it seems like He gives us so much already, He then gives even more. It’s hard to keep up with that. But I am very thankful for it. I love you all and I pray for your happiness and success in life wherever you are. I hope you strengthen your faith every day just by taking the small steps, which then turns in to the big steps. I love life, and I am so happy to be out here. I wish it would never end! Love ya and miss ya'll! Have a grand week!

Con amor siempre,

Elder Bradley Rigby