Mon 5/16/2011 10:22 AM
Estrés...
Buenos Dias Mis Queridos,
This week hmmm. Well. Ummm. CRAZY!! haha. We went on three exchanges, taught 14 lessons, trained for an hr in 3 district meetings, took care of struggling missionaries, were in a parade dressed as a pioneer, and we even had some time to work out in the mornings. I tell ya, we are so busy every day and night. I can't even write in my journal!!! Elder Werrett and I are both just going crazy because we haven't written in our journals, but we can't really do anything about it. We are so busy! It’s ok though. We still had time to get lessons in. I don't know how we did, but we did. I honestly think we spent like 10 hours in our area this week, and it wasn't the three of us. One of us was always in a different place doing some different things for the zone and what not. It’s madness! I love it though. While I am super stressed, super busy, it’s keeping me really focused and happy, to be honest; while at times, it is really frustrating and what not. I feel really good. It’s, honestly, the hardest and busiest I have ever been on my mission!
Work wise. We received a referral this week to a guy named Cody Ingle. This guy is the most legit person I have ever taught in my whole mission. He knows it all. He has read all the standard works. . . twice. He has prayed to receive an answer, which he did. He believes in the church fully and wants to get baptized and later sealed in the temple. So he is completely prepared. But the catch, always a catch, is that he is moving to Utah next week, so we can't baptized him. :( So he will be baptized in Utah and what not. But, oh well. We have been teaching him still, and he is just so amazing. He has completely changed his life. He is covered in tattoos from head to toe, is Irish (catholic), and was a heavy drinker and smoker. He told us, "The church has changed my life. I am happy now and I know by following this gospel I will receive ultimate happiness." Now, could you imagine every investigator being like that?? They aren't though. On the contrary, we taught John and Aubrey. We tried setting Aubrey for baptism again, and she said, “No.” She wants to explore some other religions first. We kept bringing so much stuff in, but when the Spirit really came in, is when John opened his mouth. Now John has been inactive for 10 years until now. He just testified to her about baptism, and just completely took the lesson away. It was so amazing to see him and his testimony. After he said the closing prayer. he said, "I haven't prayed in a very long time, nor expressed my true feelings about the church. It feels amazing. Thank you for bringing me back guys." We were so pumped and happy for him! So she is so close, we are just praying our knees out that she receives a witness that this church is true! Other than that, we just have a couple or three other people we are working with. But nothing too big yet. The work is definitely growing here a lot, and we are gaining the trust of the members a lot more. So we are excited to see what happens next transfer. Our hard work is bringing some fruits!
So Saturday, we had the opportunity to be in the Florence Days Parade. We got to pull hand carts and pass out cards. It was really fun. And I actually got to know some people I didn’t know before, so that was fun. I have been in the boonies for a while, so I feel like I don't know anyone. So I just talked to everyone I didn't know. It was cool. Even some of the sisters. They are actually pretty cool. I never knew, because I never have talked to them much. So yeah. It was a fun day amongst all the other stressful days. We are stressed that missionaries always ask for our help, but at the same time, we really appreciate that they trust us enough to call us. It’s just hard trying to make everything go smoothly always, ya know? I am very happy though! This is probably the most happy I have been on my mission. Exact obedience, dedicated service and love for others have been just filling my life with joy!
This Saturday, we are having the opportunity to hear from an apostle and 4 other general authorities. I am way excited to hear the truth proclaimed by a special witness of Christ himself. It really will be a spiritually uplifting experience for me. I am really excited. It’s really weird...and I don't want to say this, but I am going to. But lately I feel like my heart has become so much more tender. I find myself tearing up a lot more lately as I hear the truths of the Gospel, and as I teach it. It is really amazing to see how much I have changed as a person. And I am happy about that. I am a better person because of my mission, and I am truly grateful to the Lord for allowing me to serve in His vineyard. It truly has touched my soul, changed my perspective, and actively changed my desires as a person. This last week, as we trained the missionaries, we talked about desire, labor, and faith. It was a really tender experience. I found myself saying things I normally wouldn't, and actively loving the missionaries. I am loving it so much. I am so glad I came out. It is the best two years of my life, and it is definitely the best two years for the rest of my life. I love you all and pray for you daily. I hope all of you may be frequently touched and guided by the spirit. I love you and I miss you!
Con amor y mucho carino,
Tu hijo y amigo
El Elder Bradley Rigby
This week hmmm. Well. Ummm. CRAZY!! haha. We went on three exchanges, taught 14 lessons, trained for an hr in 3 district meetings, took care of struggling missionaries, were in a parade dressed as a pioneer, and we even had some time to work out in the mornings. I tell ya, we are so busy every day and night. I can't even write in my journal!!! Elder Werrett and I are both just going crazy because we haven't written in our journals, but we can't really do anything about it. We are so busy! It’s ok though. We still had time to get lessons in. I don't know how we did, but we did. I honestly think we spent like 10 hours in our area this week, and it wasn't the three of us. One of us was always in a different place doing some different things for the zone and what not. It’s madness! I love it though. While I am super stressed, super busy, it’s keeping me really focused and happy, to be honest; while at times, it is really frustrating and what not. I feel really good. It’s, honestly, the hardest and busiest I have ever been on my mission!
Work wise. We received a referral this week to a guy named Cody Ingle. This guy is the most legit person I have ever taught in my whole mission. He knows it all. He has read all the standard works. . . twice. He has prayed to receive an answer, which he did. He believes in the church fully and wants to get baptized and later sealed in the temple. So he is completely prepared. But the catch, always a catch, is that he is moving to Utah next week, so we can't baptized him. :( So he will be baptized in Utah and what not. But, oh well. We have been teaching him still, and he is just so amazing. He has completely changed his life. He is covered in tattoos from head to toe, is Irish (catholic), and was a heavy drinker and smoker. He told us, "The church has changed my life. I am happy now and I know by following this gospel I will receive ultimate happiness." Now, could you imagine every investigator being like that?? They aren't though. On the contrary, we taught John and Aubrey. We tried setting Aubrey for baptism again, and she said, “No.” She wants to explore some other religions first. We kept bringing so much stuff in, but when the Spirit really came in, is when John opened his mouth. Now John has been inactive for 10 years until now. He just testified to her about baptism, and just completely took the lesson away. It was so amazing to see him and his testimony. After he said the closing prayer. he said, "I haven't prayed in a very long time, nor expressed my true feelings about the church. It feels amazing. Thank you for bringing me back guys." We were so pumped and happy for him! So she is so close, we are just praying our knees out that she receives a witness that this church is true! Other than that, we just have a couple or three other people we are working with. But nothing too big yet. The work is definitely growing here a lot, and we are gaining the trust of the members a lot more. So we are excited to see what happens next transfer. Our hard work is bringing some fruits!
So Saturday, we had the opportunity to be in the Florence Days Parade. We got to pull hand carts and pass out cards. It was really fun. And I actually got to know some people I didn’t know before, so that was fun. I have been in the boonies for a while, so I feel like I don't know anyone. So I just talked to everyone I didn't know. It was cool. Even some of the sisters. They are actually pretty cool. I never knew, because I never have talked to them much. So yeah. It was a fun day amongst all the other stressful days. We are stressed that missionaries always ask for our help, but at the same time, we really appreciate that they trust us enough to call us. It’s just hard trying to make everything go smoothly always, ya know? I am very happy though! This is probably the most happy I have been on my mission. Exact obedience, dedicated service and love for others have been just filling my life with joy!
This Saturday, we are having the opportunity to hear from an apostle and 4 other general authorities. I am way excited to hear the truth proclaimed by a special witness of Christ himself. It really will be a spiritually uplifting experience for me. I am really excited. It’s really weird...and I don't want to say this, but I am going to. But lately I feel like my heart has become so much more tender. I find myself tearing up a lot more lately as I hear the truths of the Gospel, and as I teach it. It is really amazing to see how much I have changed as a person. And I am happy about that. I am a better person because of my mission, and I am truly grateful to the Lord for allowing me to serve in His vineyard. It truly has touched my soul, changed my perspective, and actively changed my desires as a person. This last week, as we trained the missionaries, we talked about desire, labor, and faith. It was a really tender experience. I found myself saying things I normally wouldn't, and actively loving the missionaries. I am loving it so much. I am so glad I came out. It is the best two years of my life, and it is definitely the best two years for the rest of my life. I love you all and pray for you daily. I hope all of you may be frequently touched and guided by the spirit. I love you and I miss you!
Con amor y mucho carino,
Tu hijo y amigo
El Elder Bradley Rigby
