24 October 2011

Mon 10/24/2011 1:14 PM Viene Los Milagros con Paciencia

HAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO!

I can't believe how fast Octobre is going! It’s already the 24th? What is this!! This week went by super-dee-duper fast. We started out the week by taking a road trip to Grand Island, and then the next morning on to Lincoln for a meeting. It was quite a very long drive, it seemed, and it was a long meeting. So naturally, I was tired. I was one of the oldest people in the meeting. I probably knew like a fifth of the missionaries there, which is really weird. There was a time when I knew every missionary in the mission. Now, I am just that old missionary who says profound comments in the back of the room.  I sat by Elder Nelson, who was around me most of my Siouxland days. We just kind of mingled in the back and it was fun. I like meetings when I am in the middle of nowhere, it’s kind of nice to see a lot of people around. Weird, but it’s all good!  We got back to Grand Island. I made a couple to three visits to some people I know, the Catalans and the Georges. It was sooo weird to see how things have changed there, but at the same time, it was good to see some familiar faces. I told old man George I am warming up the font for Dec 18th, and I am going to drag him to the font. He laughed and said, like always, "When hell freezes over." I used to joke around with him a lot back in the day. So it was nice to talk with him and sister George again. After that, we got back to Lexington around like 10:30, and I was straight up tired, and fell right to sleep. Outside the work, that’s all that really was exciting this week. 

La Obra (the work) is great!!! I decided that with my companion, right now, not really caring, I will just do it all. Sad, but I am hoping by doing so, he will feel guilt, Godly Sorrow, repent, and start turning himself around. So we'll see what happens!  But this week, we had the opportunity to teach Margareeta like 3 times. And one of the times, we set a baptismal date with her. She will be taking the plunge on the 12th of November,  hopefully. We need to help her quit smoking though. It’s awesome to see this though. I guess she used to reject the missionaries hard core, so now to see her completely turn around is so amazing! We also have Jesus, that should be baptized on the 5th of Nov as well. So two people at the beginning of next month! Which I think will be great for the ward. I think the ward has lost some trust with the past elders and what not. But we are fixing that. And things are really picking up well. Members come up and talk to me a lot now, and I am just keeping my smile and staying happy with everything and things are just going great!!! Tonight also, we are teaching a Jewish man. We had such an awesome conversation with him last week about life, we showed him some Jewish members on mormon.org and he loved that. He set up the appointment and said, “I want you to help me fix my life so I have confidence in my old age.” So there are soooooo many things just starting to click a lot more. The key is keeping the spirit with us and helping the people out in the way that the Lord wants to.

So a miracle happened last night. At least it was for me. A member from the mission presidency, in our mission, called me last night and said, “Elder Rigby, it’s been a while, but boy do I have a job for you!” So I grinned and talked to him for a little bit. I have been around him before and we have some good talks. Anywho, there a Hispanic FAMILY up in the Sandhills of Nebraska, in a small town of Whittman. That has been taking discussions from the members who speak Spanish up there because of where they served missions. Well, President Kunz has approved that we go with President Deakin (2nd counselor in mission presidency) and go teach this family once a week, along with all the other people they have up there. We also may have the chance to go to church up there a couple times and really help this family unto the gospel. They have already said they want to get baptized, but they have to get the lessons and stuff from us! I have always wanted to go to the Sandhills of NE, that’s where Elder McClain served as a service missionary for like 7 months! There is no missionaries there now, and we are the closest ones, but more importantly, I am SSSOOOOO excited for this family. It will be an awesome experience. I am really excited! So miracles are coming and coming as I give more and more time and efforts to the Lord. The work is great, the people great, the Lord is great. Now, I just need to get my companion on board with everything. And things will be perfect! It’s hard, he is one of the hardest companions I have ever had, just because he argues everything and desires no help. But I know that, with the Lord's help, I can move mountains. So I am not giving up, I never will. I am going to continue loving him, and caring for him until he accepts my help. I know that I was sent here for many reasons, but one of them was to help this kid out so he can have a great 14 months left of his mission. I am so grateful for all the many blessings I have in my life. I love my life, and I am sooo happy to be where I am at today. I know that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all the mistakes I made, and for the support I have in all of you! I love you all sooooo much and miss ya just as much. Time is whipping by and we will see each other soon, but not yet, not yet. I have things to complete for the Lord. :) I love you all! Have a great spirit filled week!

con amor,
 Elder Bradley Rigby

17 October 2011

Mon 10/17/2011 12:59 PM Que Raro Man!?

Que transa familia!!!????

           So I literally have like no time. There is so many Hispanics and Africans that they always use the computers, so we get like no time. They need to create more computer space here, because I don't think they realize how much people really use these things. Oh well.  If I don't finish, I will get on at a later time and send some more!

So to begin, the last week we had interviews with President Kunz. Best interview I have ever had. We just talked openly about everything that I have struggled with and he has struggled with, it was really good. We also talked about my departure and just a lot of stuff. It was really good. I really enjoyed it a lot! So that went really well. My companion is struggling a lot a lot! So President also made sure that I am helping him out. He just doesn't care about his mission anymore, regrets coming out, hates his family, and hates people back home. Tough situation, but that is why I am here! I am the fixit missionary, I guess!  I don't know why or how, but I guess that’s what I do. I am happy to do it though. So the rest of the week I really focused on him and just helping him out to become more converted and ultimately happier in his life!  We did some service and that was fun. We built a ghetto doghouse.  I wish I could've done it better, but with no tools and no supplies it was difficult. But we did it. Hopefully by helping this lady out, she will become more converted and come back to church. Church attendance is really low right now, but we will boost it up. We also had a ward party on Friday. That  was pretty fun! A bon fire, some s'mores, and hot dogs. Man, it made me miss camping a lot!  It was a pretty chill autumn week. I liked it a lot. I have been studying like crazy though. I study in the mornings, at lunch, at dinner, and at night. I’m just reading like 4 books and as much as I can. I am addicted to learning now, it’s quite wonderful. I am learning so much about the atonement, myself, and how to use the atonement and myself to help others! Quite a blessing!

                On the teaching side of things, we have Jesus and Margareeta who are really close to overcoming some Word of Wisdom issues. They both come to church every week and desire to be more converted, so we are excited about them and we are working with them. We also have like 5 part-member families that we are working with. They don't seem like they are ready, to the naked eye, but I discern that they are more ready than everyone thinks. I have really fasted and prayed about what I should do here and with who I should work and what I should do. It’s really quite the awesome process. Other than that, I am finding finders in the ward. Preparing the members and helping them become the best missionaries they can be. I won't be here that long, but if I can help them enough to help the missionaries always, man, this place would be a gold mine! There is a lot of people here who are looking and I can tell. But they don't know where to find it, and we don't know where they are either. But the members do! So good things are going on here. Helping improve my companion, the ward, and the area! All made possible through the Atonement. I read something in a talk this week, so awesome. Elder Bednar says, "it is not only the sinner who needs to partake of the atonement, but the saint as well,.....brothers and sisters i don't think we quite adequately understand that we need to use the Atonement to go from good to better!" O man, it’s sooooo good. I just love the talks I am reading and things I am learning right now. I am so happy right now. I am glad that I am here to finish my mission off strong! I love you all and miss you all so much! but soon....haha.

Con amor,

 Elder Bradley D. Rigby

10 October 2011

Mon 10/10/2011 2:17 PM Estoy Aqui.

Well hello!

This will be a rather quick email. I cannot really think of anything that went on. But the things that I remember I will tell you. We found a family of like 5 or 6 this week. They speak Spanish and English fluently, so that should be a new adventure. Also, a 60 yr old Jewish man told us he has been pondering life a lot lately and said he thinks that we hold the keys to all the answers he is pondering. We have been going around to all the people on the list and just trying to clean it up and help some part-member families to become full-member families! So the work is going, there is no slow aspect to it. We are also just trying to help the members of the ward be more converted. There is going to be some changes in the small ward we have, so we need some people to step up! I am also really enjoying my companion a lot. I am seeing what makes him tick and how I can help him out a lot more. But I honestly think I get along with most people lately. I am not the punk kid that I used to be. I really care about people and want to help them out more and more. I think my testimony of the Atonement also has grown sooooo much. I think, with the help that the Savior gives me everyday, I am able to do all things. I have more charity and love for all things. I have desires to serve God and help Him to help His children. I am really excited to be here and help this place turn around. I love the people. I love the work. And I love each of you. I can't believe it’s coming so close to an end. I have just been thinking about what else I can do more for the Lord before I complete. I also think it’s crazy that I have to register for school already! That’s sooooo crazy, but oh well. With time comes change and things ya know?? Thanks for everything that all of you do! I love you all soooo much! And I pray for you often. Please have a spiritually rewarding week. Reach out with charity and love and help someone out! For that is what we will be judged on in the last days. Love you and miss you!!!

 Con amor,

 El Elder Bradley Ruby

03 October 2011

Mon 10/3/2011 9:56 AM
Mexington

Bueno bueno bueno!!!

So I bet you are all thinking that I am super sad to get transferred. Nope. I am not. Actually, I was really happy. I got a really strong confirmation that I am supposed to be here. So things are really going great. They have a lot of work going on here. There is a ward, and we cover both English and Spanish people. So it will be really good! This town is a town of like 10k and like 8k of the 10 are Hispanic. It’s pretty crazy, that’s why they call it Mexington. Things are really good though. I loved conference. I thought that the New Provo Temple is a big highlight as well! That was really cool to me! I can't say I have a favorite talk, I think the priesthood session was really awesome though. I think it was well fitted to rebuke all the young men! I loved that! Besides conference, nothing much has really happened. There was a part-member family I met who is an older couple, and the guy is Jewish, but he told us he wants to hear the lessons again. So that should be pretty sweet! We also have like 6 other part-members families who are Hispanic. This place is so crazy, but I like it. It’s small, but oh well. I think I do best here in the small towns though!

The drive was a little bit long, but I got to see all the mission again and realize that I do not know anyone in the mission anymore. Literally, I was like....who are you? I guess that’s what I get for being an old missionary. But it was pretty funny! I got to see a lot of old friends though. I drove the truck down from Siouxland. It was fun. I love that I know how to drive a truck and trailer. It makes me feel good to know I can do “manly” things. It was sad to leave though. I think I spent like 4 hours visiting with all the people in Wynstone  –  non-members and members - just talking about life. They asked some questions too, which was pretty sweet. I will miss it there. But one good thing about serving a stateside mission, I can always come back, or they can always come visit!

I can't really think of anything else to say except that my companion is pretty cool. Real intelligent and really stubborn. I will be honest with you, President told me that I am here to help him out. aka, I am babysitting. He was born in Guatemala, moved to Logan, Utah when he was young, and lived there ever since until he came here. Since then, his family moved back to Guatemala. But he is just struggling with his testimony and stuff with the mission. So I am here to help him! Which I know that the Lord knows me, and picked me to help him out! Everything is good though. I love my life, and I am so happy I got to see conference. It was such a great experience to hear the prophets voice and all the wonderful tidings they brought. I think, for sure, it was a great conference. I took some study notes on the spiritual recognitions. Now it’s time to apply all the re-evaluated things I need to do better as a person, missionary, brother, son, friend etc. I am excited. I love the mission but more importantly I love you all so much. Thank you for all the support you give me, I pray for you nightly. I love you all sooooo much! Have a great week!!!

Con amor,

Elder Bradley Rigby

28 September 2011

Wed 9/28/2011 12:56 PM

Me Voy

Well,

I do not have too much time to talk because I have to go and pack. But I am going to be transferred to Lexington, Nebraska with Elder Carias - basically, the middle of nowhere. I am really surprised I am leaving, but, oh well. The Lord has more work for me to do in other places. I am grateful I got to serve here in Siouxland and I will miss it a lot. I think this is the closest I have been with any members and missionaries. President Kunz called me and told me about it, he said he didn't want me to leave here, until yesterday morning, he had me staying here with Vawdrey. But he had a distinct feeling that I could help Elder Carias out. So, I am peacing out of my beloved castle, my Siouxland, out to western Nebraska again. I am very sad. But I know that it’s what the Lord would want me to do. I have 2 transfers left and I am going to work my little booty off to help whomever out, wherever I go.

I love you all soooooo much! Thank you sooo much for all that you've done for me. I love the letters and I miss you all so much! Have a great week! I hope to write more this coming week. 

con amor,

Elder B. Rigby

19 September 2011

Mon 9/19/2011 11:14 AM Proposito Nuevo

Ello there peeps,

Pertaneer crazy times it seems. I feel that this week has been one of the craziest weeks of my mission, but definitely one of the ones that is the most worth it as well. Once again it was not one of your particular weeks in the mission. Nothing is ever "normal" here in Sioux City. I think that’s why I love it here so much. It is so different than the rest of the mission! Anyway, it has changed my outlook a lot on life and on my mission. I feel as if I am more converted to the Gospel than I ever have been. I feel like I know where I am going, and I know what to do. I feel an abundance of the spirit around me and I know how to use it to appropriately help people. I know what my purpose here in the mission is. I know that Heavenly Father has put me through the refiner’s fire for a specific reason, and I am beginning to know what that reason is. I know the Lord has specific people in my life for specific reasons. He prepares us and prepares us for people so that we can help them out. We hold certain keys that unlock people's minds and hearts, and the Lord has prepared and given us these keys. It’s really quite interesting and intriguing to think about.  Anywho, the reason I have found this out is because my mind is always moving as you know, and I feel like my whole mission, my whole life, I have been trying to figure out this intricate puzzle. And key people have been placing pieces here and there. The majority of those pieces have been placed by you, family. I am so grateful for the help you have been to me in my life. I love that I can make dumb decisions my whole life and still be loved and have someone to talk to. I am nothing without you. Anyway, a key piece was put into my intricate, intense, insane mind this week, and that was Elder Hoyt. And I, as well, put a key piece into his puzzle. We ministered to each other, we both realize that we needed something more and didn't know where else to get it. Anyway, we ended up talking forever! And it was the most spiritual experience I have had on my mission. I feel that now....now, I know what I am really doing. I understand that I need to minister more, I need to love everyone more, I need to discern the concerns, needs, and interests of others. So that’s what we did. After this experience with Elder Hoyt, which lasted until the quite a long while, I taught my district how to minister to people. One of the best district meetings I have had by far. It was completely guided by the spirit, on the drive down to district meeting I had no idea what I was going to train on. Then it hit me, I just need to minister to the district, and by ministering to them, the spirit in turn will teach them how to minister to others. But not just anyone, a person that the Lord has prepared.  You are all probably thinking who is this philosopher of a son/brother I have. Well, Hi. It’s me.  But I have been thinking so much lately. The most important rule on the mission is follow the spirit of the Lord. And that is exactly what I will do the rest of my mission. I love the example of the Savior, He was the most perfect minister there ever was or ever will be. Did the Savior baptize anyone while on the earth? Scripturally the answer is no, but, He ministered to the people, He discerned their concerns, interests, and needs. And He chose to act and help them. That is my purpose for the rest of my mission. Whether it be missionaries, members, investigators, etc. Whomever the spirit directs me to, I will have instant love and concern for them. That is the doctrine of Christ. "True Doctrine understood, changes behavior" I understand it now. And I am grateful for the Lord to leading me to this point. I feel like I am so set for life now that I have learned what I learned. I still have a ton to learn, and I will humbly accept anything I can take. I am just so excited for things now. This last week, changed my mission, changed my life, just being able to more fully understand things by talking to other missionaries and finding out the true purpose of the mission. I love it!

Alrighty, now you're thinking, hmmmmmm......and I want to say to you. I love you. Thanks for the letters! It hit the spot, I knew I was inspired when I asked for them. Still waiting on the siblings.....but I am patient and I love you no matter what! Things are going so great. We are still doing service here and there, but for the most part we are back to the work, but with an eternal perspective in mind. Today we will be going to Council Bluffs for a zone conference tomorrow with a zone activity afterward. So the next couple three days should be pretty fun. I get to see some old companions and minister to them! I am loving life right now, although time is going fast, the Lord is directing me in the way I need to go. I love you all so much and I miss you just as much! I hope you have a great week!!!

Con amor,

Elder Bradley "found himself finally" Rigby

6 September 2011

Tue 9/6/2011 11:50 AM

Siento Flojo Hoy

Well, this week was another week of service basically. And I am feeling really lazy right now, because I have a lot of other stuffs on my mind, so this will be a short and sweet email. So we had a normal Monday last week, except we went to a football game for P-day. it was fun! Then we ate with the Faldmoe's  and yeah.

Then Tuesday and Wednesday we did service for some non-members. It was pretty fun. We tracted, I guess you could say, but we just knocked on doors that didn't have their walls done and then just took down their walls for them. So that was pretty cool.

Thursday was like the most normal day of the week though. We had a district meeting, It wasn't as good as normal though, because I just had to give a Powerpoint presentation on mormon.org. I mean it was good, but I had already seen it like twice before, so I wasn't so enthused about it. But I know the members of the district liked it. After that, I gave a baptismal interview.....and the guy didn't pass. Sad. But he will hopefully be baptized this next Saturday! So that should be really cool for him!!! After that, we went and had dinner with the Fernando's (non-members that we helped) and it was way fun. He is way open with us and just talks to us about everything. It will be cool to see them progress in the gospel even more. A lot of people that we helped have so much potential. They just have to give up a couple three things.

Friday and Saturday we did service as well....but it was different. We had to help people move....and let me tell you my pet peeve...when you go to help someone move and they have not packed anything at all and have done no prep. Well....that’s how it was on Friday and Saturday. We had to pack everything up for them, load it all up, and unpack it. Man....ridiculous. So I was in quite the angry mood, I will be honest, but I tried being positive and it all worked out. 

Sunday was a very special day though!!! We got made into a Spanish branch! It was pretty cool to be a part of! And to know that the two people that I helped bring into the church, helped it happen as well. So that was pretty sweet to see it grow into an actual Spanish branch. So, now we are the Sioux City Spanish Branch! It’s legit. So yep, yep.  Now, we just have to get all the people their callings and to make this grow and grow into a Spanish Ward. That would be so sweet! So yeah!

Anywho, then Monday, was yesterday, of course, and we had like a half P-day. But it consisted of all the people who we served -  they threw us a huge BBQ. There was like 100 people there. It was really a blessing to see all these people we helped out and how grateful they were for us. It was pretty fun. We had a BBQ and we played a lot of football too. (That made me realize how out of shape I am!) But yeah. it was a pretty good week. But this week we will be back into the normal swing of things! So that will be good.

Sorry, I didn’t have too much to talk about, I know I will this week! But I love you all so, so, so, so, so much! and I miss you just as much! Have a great week!!!

Con amor,

El Elder Bradley Rigby

29 August 2011

Mon 8/29/2011 10:43 AM

Servicio y bautismo!! Woot Woot

Que transa!!!

Well, this week there is not too much to talk about, to be honest. It has been a week of service. It’s been really fun to serve Non-Members. Literally, one of the most rewarding things I have done on my mission. Before we kind of served non-members, but not like now. Everyday, last week, we were with non members all day. Just us and them. How cool is that? We really showed them that we are real people and they asked sooo many questions. It was very nice to just sit and have a normal conversation with them. I really love preaching the gospel that way. It honestly beats tracting or anything. I think serving people and just getting to know them, they trust us more, they feel our love for them, and they feel comfortable enough to just talk with us. It’s not like we are teaching lessons in a formal manner and what not. We teach by our character. Here is a quote I like a lot, "Preach the Gospel at all times in your life, and seldomly use words" I think that is so important.
We worked on one house alone for like 4 days. It was the largest wall besides Dan's. It was 14 ft wide, 9 feet tall, and 200 feet long. The guy told us, after moving his wall out, that we moved like 400 tons of sandbags.  And that was just one house. We have worked on like 20 houses, so I think about how much sand I have moved total. It’s insane! We also got fed really well by the non-members. As we would say, "Eating like kings, working like slaves". It’s been really fun. I have driven a tractor, bobcat, skidloader, polaris ranger, and a huge truck with a dump trailer on the back. It’s been pretty fun. I have learned some neat skills while being out here - a lot of skills that I will use the rest of my life. I am grateful for the people who teach us how to use the equipment and in turn let us use it! It’s been so much fun and so rewarding for me. I love it so, so, so much. I wish I could just be a service missionary the rest of my mission. So at the end of the week (Friday), the non-member invited us over for a nice sit down dinner. We took pictures and a he works at a meat plant as a developer and researcher. So he ordered us 2 inch thick ribeye steaks. They were the BEST steaks I have ever eaten in my life. It was so delicious!!! I feel like I have eaten so much fat this week, but I have been working so hard, I have been breaking even. But not only has it been physically and tastefully satisfying, it was been spiritually rewarding! I love it so much. I really wish I could show you everything, it would be awesome, but, these dumb computers won’t let me do anything. But the guy who gave us steak, took a bunch of pictures and he said he is going to send all of them to ya'll. He's a huge family man and wants ya'll to know what we are doing. Really nice people out here!
And to finish the week off, Julian was baptized! The service went so perfect. Everything went as planned and even a former missionary, that actually was the first one to teach Julian last year, came. I didn't even know he had been taught at all. The RM came and visited and came to the baptism. It was so awesome. The bishop baptized him, and I confirmed him. Just a wonderful experience. Once Julian came out of the water, he was grinning from ear to ear. He was so happy. He said to me, "Elder, I feel so happy, i feel so clean." It was just an awesome experience to see this humble man partake of the wonderful fruit of the gospel and its infinite atonement!! I love it. And even yesterday after I got done confirming him in Spanish, he was again grinning from ear to ear! Such a rewarding experience for me. I love the mission, and I love the fact that I get to see people change lives and see the happiness on their faces. I had the opportunity to teach the YW yesterday and one of the girls asked what my most favorite thing about the mission is. It’s definitely being able to see lives changed. See people change themselves and become ultimately happy in their lives!!! I love it sooooooo much! I can't believe, at the same time, how fast it is going, here it is almost September. And I don't even know where August went! Training this new guy is good. He has a lot, and I mean a lot, of energy.  And so much desire to serve the Lord. It’s been great that I get to help him be the most effective missionary possible. I am so grateful for the opportunity to even have this chance to train him. I know it’s a sacred trust that the Lord has in me. And I am definitely taking that to heart! I am so grateful for all of you and the work that you do and the love you have for me. I feel it every day. I think about you in my prayers and pray for your happiness. I love you all sooooo much and I hope you have a great week!!!

Love you all so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so much!!!

Con amor,

Elder Bradley Rigby