17 February 2010

On February 16th at 4:30am, Brad called us from the SLC airport. is was great to finally talk to him. The whole family was on the phone (although I think Tanner was still half asleep). He sounded really good and he was excited to finally be going to Omaha. he was a little anxious about it too, but that's normal. I remember that I was very nervous while traveling to the mission field. He said a little someething in Spanish for us. It sounded pretty good.

It will be strange not having him just down the road from us, but it also takes away the temptation of trying to see him or meet him somewhere by the MTC.

We received the following letter (edited) and pictures from his mission president. He sounds like a very nice man. Enjoy.

-Don

**********************************************************

17 February 2010


Dear Brother and Sister Rigby,

What a delight it was to greet your Missionary, Elder Brad Rigby, at the airport. He was excited to have finally arrived in the mission field. The MTC is a wonderful place, but nothing like being in your field of labor.

We are impressed with his goodness and desire to serve the Lord. His presence will lift the overall strength of the mission. We can tell that his training at the MTC in Preach My Gospel has been effective. This will be a great blessing since the Omaha Nebraska Mission is a Preach My Gospel mission. It is our focus to help your son fulfill his purpose as a missionary, which is to, “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

Elder Rigby has been assigned to serve in the Omaha Spanish Ward of the Omaha Zone. His Trainer will be Elder Curisinche.

We will do our very best to keep your missionary safe and healthy. We are grateful to have Elder Rigby here with us in the Nebraska Omaha Mission. We love him already! We look forward to growing close as we are yoked together in the service of the Lord.

We have enclosed a picture of your missionary that was taken shortly after arriving in the mission.

Warmest regards,

President Milan Kunz Sister Leslie Kunz

This is a picture taken outside of the Winter Quarter's Temple (left to right)

President Kunz and Sister Kunz, Sister Hale, Elder Bartolomei, Sister Stranger, Elder Bahlmann, Sister Itri, Elder Rigby, Elder DeWitt

 

This was taken at the Winter Quarters Visitor's Center

(left to right)

Elder Rigby, Elder DeWitt, Elder Bartolomei, Elder Bahlmann, Sister Itri, Sister Stranger, and Sister Hale

This is a picture of Brad with President and Sister Kunz outside the Temple.

8 February 2010

Hola-

So I just got back from my nose cauterization appointment, so I'm still breathing in the fumes from my nose, so I'm pretty tired and tipsy. Ha-ha. So this week, the oldest district left! It was so weird without them. So I spent a lot of time getting to know the other districts. Because, you know me, I'm just a social FALCON. Yeah, I said falcon. Because I'm legit, I guess. Ha-ha.

Tuesday night, Elder Richard Hinckley came and spoke to us. It was one of my favorite talks ever! He speaks just like his father does. He's funny and he tells lots of stories. I guess a lot of changes are going to happen this year, like a 120 mission president's have been called, and lots of missions will be changed. So maybe mine might change? Weird. But it was a good talk.

Wednesday, we had class in the morning and we learned a lot! Then the afternoon, I spent it all in the doctor's office because of my nose! Finally, when it was time to leave, you bums wouldn't answer your phones! Then, finally, dad called back and I could leave!

Thursday, nothing happened except.....we got our FLIGHT PLANS!!!! So here they are: Next Tuesday, Leave SLC and arrive at Minneapolis, MN. Then, Leave MN and arrive in Omaha. So what I'm thinking is that I will call you before my flight leaves SLC, because I think I'll have more time, plus all of you will be home and I won't disturb work or school time. You just have to answer the dang phone!! Ha-ha. Wow, I can't type fast or speak English, it seems, right now.

OK, then Friday, Elder DeWitt was sick all day, so I stayed in the dorm all day and read, studied, you know, the works! And yes, I just happened to take a power nap because studying from 6:30 to like 6 is way hard!! It stunk.

Then Saturday, in the morning, he was sick again. So I stayed back in the morning and studied some more, and prepped for our lesson. This week was really good, but a lot of sitting! Later he felt better and we were able to teach the lesson. Then, after, he and Elder Simmonds were sick, so they went back to the dorm. (I personally think they were worn out and just wanted to sleep) But it’s cool.

Then Sunday rolled around. Fast Sunday. Aaah. My stomach was growling! And we had a two hour meeting! It was way good. I didn't fall asleep! So it was super bueno! Plus we had a lot more study time because of no meals. I read 3rd Nephi, and that book is so good! Jesus Christ is talking to the Nephites. It has a lot of insights for all of us, read it if you have the chance. My scriptures are like crazy marked now. I never thought that I'd enjoy reading this much, but I have learned so much!! It’s great. The Libro De Mormon is the best libro ever. So get reading it. It will bless your life continually.

So, anyway, later we had temple walk. I got some pics with George Kaaihue and Craig Bills, because it’s my last temple walk! So I got more pics, then I pigged out at dinner! It wasn't the greatest meal, as usual, it’s just whatever. Then we had the most boring fireside ever! This lady played violin, and wowee....Mom, you are a heck of a lot better!!! She kept squeaking sometimes and was totally off tune. In my notes I wrote, "My mommy is better than this lady." That was next to my doodles. Honestly, it was just a history lesson. So nothing really spoke out to me. So many heads were bobbing. It was funny. Then we watched the Joseph Smith movie again, then had some good chats at night, and went to sleep.

Today, I woke up early, went to the temple. I got everything done early today so I could go to the doctor and get my nose done. It’s funny. So many people talk to us missionaries more. If I were just a normal person, they would care less. But now, they are like all loving and stuff. Muy comico. And I saw Mary Tippetts. It was funny.

Hey, not much to say about this week. I know next week will be a lot more because two days out of the week, all we are doing is teaching lessons … all day! So I'll have a lot more to say. I found out, I'll be in the Omaha Mission Home until Thursday! I guess we have orientation with the President - which is cool. I'm pumped to go and actually bless some lives for real! I'm scared, but I know the Lord will provide a way! I love you all and miss you so much! Be happy and always love each other. Family is what it’s all about.

Love always,

Elder Bradley Don Rigby

1 February 2010

Hola Mi Familia-


Well this week was probably one of the best weeks in the CCM (MTC) so far. The Spirit between our trio has just been so amazing. I'm so grateful for your advice and support to me. It really does mean a lot to have a great family behind me! I miss all ya'll!

So not many stories for you today, not much happens here at the MTC as you know. But at the TRC on Saturday, we gave another powerful lesson to the volunteer. As one of the observers put it "you are as the sons of Helaman teaching with Spirit and power." That was such a good compliment to receive. Teaching in Spanish is so much easier. Maybe because we only know the facts and not all the doctrine that I know in English. So it’s easier to teach it in a more simplified way for an Investigator.

Saturday night, with Hermano West, he gave us updates on BYU-Utah game, because he goes to BYU. That was coool. But at the end of the night, we were gonna sing a hymn, and we only sing and pray in Spanish, but the hymn we chose was crazy fast. Also in Spanish there are twice as many words. So it just sounded like a bunch of idiots moaning. Ha-ha. And Elder Simmonds accidentally drooled on the desk. Then Hermano West just started crying-laughing, and so did all of us. So for 15 minutes straight we were just laughing. We couldn't even say the prayer. So Hermana Latu just said like a sentence one, and then Hermano West runs out into the hall laughing. We're all laughing, and he comes back in laughing. Wow. Just complete laughter. I love laughing. It’s just awesome. Like that one time Matt, Coulton, and I were just laughing and you guys came in so confused. Greatness!! Ha-ha.

Yesterday, we had a fireside at night, but the speaker didn't show. He had to go to the hospital. Sad, huh? But instead, we had a musical fireside where we just sang the whole time. I loved it! I love singing so much. If I could sing the lessons I would. Music brings the Spirit to me so much more. But how they did it was a missionary would bear their testimony of a song they like, then we'd sing a verse of it. There was like 25 songs! Including Risa, who picked a good one. I forgot what it was. I swear I'm losing my mind half the time.

I can't write in English. My letters are all slurred and dumb. And it’s just 2 months into the mission. I wonder how I'll be when I get back.

But after the fireside, Elder Poulson, Simmonds, and I had some fun. Elder Poulson left last night. It was sad. He and I got to know each other a lot. But it’s cool. I have to get used to saying bye to people anyway. So that district left. And we are the ELDEST district now. Weird!

I have two weeks left! Its so weird. We get our flight plans this week....I'll let you know about those when I get them - including calling you guys at the airport and stuff. We need to figure that out! Hmmm.....my pants don't fit. The summer ones that we got from Ross. They fit, but they are tight. I'm up to 20 lbs now!! Wow, I'm fat. Diet and work out program needed? YES!!! Oh, guess what? My watch broke....the analog part did? So I will send that and my memory cards home. Oh yeah. When you buy me my short sleeve shirts, do not get missionary mall....they turn like yellow!! My comps have the "missionary mall" brand, and they turned yellow. Luckily, I have Van Heusen and they are still white. Mom.....you were right. Mom is always right!!!

I love you all so much! I look forward to hearing about your lives. I love it so much when I get letters from you!!! I love you all with all my heart. The Lord loves you too.

-Brad

25 January 2010

Heylo!


So this week, nothing really big happened. But it was our first week teaching the lesson in Spanish. It was honestly the best lesson we, as a companionship, have ever taught! The missionaries who were observing us thought I was totally fluent and pro at Spanish. Which is a lie, I'm good, but not good enough for the field, like they say. We got a new district in our zone this week. They are pretty cool, but pretty reserved. They aren't tight with our zone yet. Wow! Teaching in Spanish is so amazing. I am really enjoying it a lot!!! I love speaking Spanish, I speak it most the time we are in class. And people in the district think I'm like boasting because I do it, but then they ask me questions all the time. Its kind of funny. But, whatever.

I went to the dentist on Thursday and they told me I missed Colt and Dad by 24 hours! I was like, “wow!,” so many people I know. Those ladies were so nice. They bought Elder Simmonds and me Cafe Rio! It was so bomb. It was real food! Not the fattening stuff here that they plump me up with. I'm up to 17 lbs now!! My shirts shrunk – or I’m way fat! I'm gonna lose it all though. Just watch. Maybe??.....ha. Tanner, when I get back, you are going to be my trainer. Get me cut, ripped , and beautiful again.

But this week was a lot about Spanish and stuff. We taught a lot of lessons in Spanish. It’s a lot more spiritual teaching in Spanish. I like it a lot more. But it’s gonna be so much harder when I'm in the field!! But I'm ready for it. I'm sick of sitting in class all day! I wanna go save some souls!

We had a speaker last night that was just so awesome. He said work hard and don't look back. So I'm determined this week to finish the Book of Mormon, and to also perfect my Spanish as much as I can! The BOM has so much more to offer! It really is so amazing, and reading it in the temple, even better!

I got a haircut, they BUTCHERED IT! ahhh. They cut the sideburns like skiwampus. My neck is like a wave. The back of my hair has like waves of long and short hair, and the top is like an inch longer than everything else. So Elder Au, having clippers, just chopped off my hair! Its straight up buzzed! 3/4 inch. Its money in the bank. I love my hair short.

The snow was awesome! It’s always great seeing the snow when I go to the temple. I look out at the valley. I love it so much! I am going to miss the mountains so much! I really love Utah.

I love you all so much!!! Miss ya!!! Tell Mimi hi!!! Love you so much.

-BRAD

18 January 2010

So its civil rights day, right? And we get no mail. Which totally blows!! Because it throws me off, because I just reply to the letters that I get throughout the week. I usually get the bulk of them on Monday. Especially from you guys. OK, first off, it was so weird seeing Jess. It didn't really make me homesick at all. Nothing was affected. To be honest it was weird just because I haven't seen ya'll in a month, I've seen friends and stuff. But it was good to see ya sis! Elder Daley and Poulson said they taught you. That was pretty funny. Sorry I couldn't come and say more to you. I had class! but I'm glad I saw you. It reminded me of my end goal - to see you guys in that airport. ha.


So this week was really good, I learned so much Spanish this week. I learned a bunch about the gospel too. I really worked hard on paying attention in class and just speaking the language. Friday we spoke complete Spanish. NO one was allowed any English. Most my class was silent, but I was just talking my mouth off. My teacher pulled me aside and said, “let some other people talk so they can speak in Espanol.” Ha-ha. Just like all my life. Hey Rigby, shut up. That’s how I roll in school!!!

Nothing was really eventful Tuesday, except L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us again. He was really entertaining and I loved it. I love when the authorities come and talk to us. It really lifts the spirits here and brings me joy.

Wednesday, I went on another field trip! Elder Nelson had to go to the DMV, so I got in the Van and went to the Provo DMV – AKA, slowest place ever. Remember when we got my license there mum? It took forever. ya. Same thing. Elder Nelson's wallet got stolen. . . at the MTC. There are stupid kids that do that. Two Elders in the zone had wallets stolen, license, 200 bones, temple recommend, visa card, all of that gone. Just because someone made a wrong decision. But anyway, while at DMV I saw president Beck from our old stake. It was funny. I talked to him for a bit. Then I met this one Peruvian who was there. I sat next to him and talked to him for 2 hrs straight, in Spanish and English. He's a member, but he's not active, so I just talked to him about everything and shared a message with him. He really seemed happy that I was talking to him. He came up to me right before he left, and he said, “Thank you for talking to me, you are a great person, have a good mission!” So I hope he’ll decide to go back to church. We were there for 3 hrs. 

Thursday, we had a day full of class and at night we had a little testimony meeting about the Holy Ghost. Of course, everyone talks for like 5 minutes. Then I get up there and tell stories of my past and how I learned it was good to listen for the Spirit and hearken unto its words. I think I grew a lot from those past experiences. I wouldn't do some of them again, but they helped me along a little bit.

Then Friday was a blur. I really don't remember it much. Half the days are like that. They say at phrase here, “The days seem like weeks and the weeks seem like days.” Its so true.

Then Saturday, saw Jess! We taught our lesson. I was quiet this week for the lesson part. Elder D talks a bunch - he blabs on a lot, but its good. He brings the Spirit in. I also wanted Elder N to talk more, he's still a little bit quiet in the lessons. But during the Spanish portion, I'm just a chatterbox. I love the language and I love talking to people who know it more, because it may seem like I don't know a lot, but just listening to the language really helps me!

Sunday was very long too! I went on another field trip! Elder Au sprained his ankle severely, and he's 400 lbs. So Elder Simmonds asked me to come along with them just in case anything happened. Also my Branch President asked me to go. So we went to the InstaCare on Bulldog and State. I saw the doctor that worked on my elbow and shoulder at football games last year. So I talked to him. No one was there, so I didn't really have a chance to talk to a lot of people. Then we came back and had normal Sunday.

Mom and Dad, I love you. Attend the temple as much as possible. Jess, Tanner, and Colton too. The temple will bless your lives so much. It truly is the Lord’s house, and when we attend it regularly, He will bless us throughout the week. I love you all so very much and miss you so terribly much. Bye, bye.

Love you.

11 January 2010

Hey!

So I've been here a month on Wednesday? It went by so fast. It seems like I've been here a couple weeks!

So Jordan told me about his mish! That’s cool. I wish I could go foreign kind of....but ha. Oh well. Downing and I will have a more difficult time being bilingual all the time. It takes smarter people to stay here and speak dos idiomas!! Ha-ha.

I have seen Risa so much! We see each other at least two or three times a day, and we just chat.

So this week was probably my worst week here. So all my good buddies - well the ones I got acquainted with - left on Monday! It was sad and weird to not have them here. Tuesday, we got a new schedule. Everything changed. I have meals at different times, and gym is either early in the morning or late at night. We aren't divided up as much. We just have straight class....and like no break between at all besides meals.  We also have two new teachers. Hermano West y Hermana Olander. They are really cool! But I still miss Bro. Nevers. He helped me so much. I see him all the time and we still talk, so it’s good. We also switched buildings! I have to walk twice as far to class now! - Which is good for my fat body, but no bueno at 7 in the morning! We got a new district in our Zone on Wednesday, they are all weird. They really keep to themselves a lot. When I first got here I was a chatterbox....that’s what I do. But they are still silent and it’s Monday!! But all is well. Thursday, Elders Turley and Deans left....so that sucked even more! Our district is down to 8! Elder Turley will be missed a lot by me. He is the most fluent in Spanish besides me, so I have no one to talk to in Spanish when my companeros are buggin' me. That’s what we'd do. Just talk in Spanish about the stress, thankfully I have been blessed with the gift of making people smile and brightening people's days. Things have been better!!

An Elder threw a huge temper tantrum this week. Ii was asking him to move his desk so we could all see, and he didn't. So I asked again, nothing, third time, nothing, so I started forcing him to move with my flabby muscles (yet still strong), and he slammed the desk against the wall and flipped out. This is where you'll be proud of me....you know how usually I'm an arguer, and I always win an argument. Yeah, I killed him with kindness! I just said "Elder, is that how a missionary should be acting? You just took the Spirit away from this classroom with that act of anger." Then I walked out and talked to zone leaders. But don't think I wasn't thinking of chewing him out in my mind, because it was there, but I had a feeling that I shouldn't. So I took the high road! And that’s hard for me, because I love winning an argument. The spirit can change you so much; always pay attention to the small enticings of the spirit because they will help you!!

FYI all is well in the companionship, we addressed some problems that have risen and it’s all fixed.

Friday was boring....nothing huge went on. We got taught all day!!! It was good because I felt like I learned so so so so so much, but yet it was kind of boring! But it was good! I have learned so much, and I love speaking Spanish, Its fun!!! It really is fun knowing a language. I urge you guys to learn some sort of language because it really makes you feel smarter!

Saturday, we had our lesson that we teach. We taught on the plan of salvation. All was so good! Our investigator asked a lot of questions that we're hard, but the Spirit was strong and through the Spirit we taught that lesson. We didn't get as much feedback as usual, but I thought we did a great job. And I expressed that to my comps because they thought they did badly.

Sunday was good, just really relaxing actually. We learned about teaching investigators more plainly and loving them even more. I think that’s my best thing though. Showing them I care for them. I have always cared about people who are close to me and in the MTC my eyes have been opened up a lot more! This really is such a great experience for me and all who go on a mission!

Today was way fun! We went to the temple, did laundry, wrote letters, and chilled and studied! It was a really good day!!! I really enjoyed it!! Thanks for all your love and support you give me! I really love reading about your lives and hearing about things!!! I love you all so much and I miss you all so much!!!

Love you forever,

Elder Rigby

ps. No hair cut mom, yeah, they butcher them here.....hahaha

04 January 2010

HOLAA!!!!

So I just got your package and all your letters from this week. Dad, they gave us scriptures in Spanish and a Himno! So I will be sending those back so you can get your money back! Sorry! Thanks for the thought though! You guys are so awesome!!! I love everything you get me. I'm good on food now. I'm already getting fat enough. I've gained 9 lbs. ha-ha. I'm a fatty now. Caleb Loveland has gained 17. Ha-ha. We 5th ward kids are fat!

Elder Sacco left, that sucked, but I still had Benke and Baldemero, my two good buds!! We had devotional on Tues. I fell asleep. I'm so tired. But Wednesday was hilarious! All the newbie's are so funny to watch. Benke and I made fun of them by going and saying, “hi”, and then we acted like we were new as well. We got no new districts. We just had class all week. Nothing really all that special. Thursday night (New Year’s Eve) we stayed up until 12. Me, Bink, Baldemero, Simmonds, and Au. It was fun. We just told stories about our background!! It is interesting to hear all our stories and stuff. I could see myself hanging with Baldemero and Benke after the mish!! They are way cool!!!

So I'm not sick at all, just cough and such, But I'm better now, but my whole district was sick. So we had to rotate staying back at the dorms watching the person who was sick. So we all missed a couple classes. It stinks. It’s so boring just sitting and reading for 4 hours by yourself.

The real story is Saturday, so we have this TA (teaching appointment), where we knock doors and talk to volunteers. And this time, I decided I'd just not say anything and make my comps do the work - because they are silent in Espanol and Ingles. It kind of worked, but when it was awkward, Bro. Nevers would just look at me and I would do my part. I love Bro. Nevers, we always talk. I don't have him anymore after this week though. :( The semester changes and our schedule changes. But Saturday, was going well all day, I taught the investigator, he said I was awesome. Then after dinner, I'm getting interviewed and I find out Elder Nelson just barfed all over the floor!!! So we took him to the front desk and they gave him a pill and we went back to the dorm. Then he projectiled his barf into the trash from our room!! Crazy. So we took him to the front desk again and they told him to go to sleep. Then he throws up a third time. So, finally, we go to the ER in Provo! I got off campus!! yeeeeeaaaah! Elder Simmonds came along to keep me company because Elder Dewitt was already asleep. So Simmonds and I just talked to everyone at the hospital!!! It was great. We were there until 3 am! It was so much fun! We just read and chilled with all the nurses there and stuff. Great time. The only thing is that I got no sleep. So we just made him stay in the dorm all day on Sunday, and we took turns rotating who stayed with him. It was alright. His twin came over, so we could go on our Sunday temple walk. It was a pretty good day! Then we said goodbye to Benke and Baldemero's district. That stunk. I hung with them until around 12. We just talked to them all night. We got to be good friends. Their district is so awesome - all of them are like me. So it’s weird that they are gone. We are still going to talk to each other over email. Baldemero is talking about coming to BYU with me! He's from Hawaii! He's way cool. You'll see in my pics when I send them home sometime. We had a fun week!!! Just full of sickness and weird happenings! The off campus car ride was sweet. It was weird though. I was like, car?? Ha ha. Weird. I saw P.H.S., Taco Bell, etc. I was like, oh yeah, I used to be here a lot....weird.

I'm glad you all had a great New Years minus the other stuff!! I love you all and miss you all!!!!! Be happy and be positive! Family is the bombest!!

Love,

Brad