Week 83: Seven Miracles - Andersen, Missouri

 Storytime:

 On Saturday, my companion and I decided to go down south to a town about twenty minutes away. While I was reading my scriptures in the morning, I got distracted on my phone and found a little language translation widget that looked cool, so I put it on my home screen. Later that morning, we planned our day and felt prompted to visit two teenage member boys in the town because we didn't know if their parents were members of the Church. 

 When we got there that afternoon, we found out that most of the family actually only spoke Spanish, so I whipped out my brand new translation app and we were able to have a whole lesson through it! It turned out the boys were from Guatemala and had been baptized into the Church by their abuelo down there. They now lived with their aunt and her family here, none of whom were members, but the aunt remembered going to our church with her dad (the grandpa) as a girl and really wanted to come back again! She even got a little emotional. 

 Fast-forward to the next day. We had gotten her a ride and found out last-minute that she actually wanted to bring all her kids with her too, but, thankfully, the member who was bringing her somehow had room in his car for all six of them, and they made it just in time for the Sacrament! Once the bread and water had been passed, the meeting moved on and we saw another miracle. For the first time in my whole two and a half months here, a brother shared his message entirely in Spanish and was translated into English by the Bishop! Keep in mind this is the day after we met this family and the first time we've ever brought any Spanish-speaking friends to church here. Then, in second hour, another sister came up and offered to translate for the aunt in the women's group meeting, and after that ended a few other ladies came up to her and talked with her in Spanish too! It was crazy. 

 We visited them again yesterday and we're excited to start meeting with them and their nephews regularly! Usually, Hispanic families here work super long hours, but their uncle is home for a couple hours every day right when they get back from school so we have a perfect meeting time to visit all of them together. Wow.

So, to sum it up:

1) I "randomly" found a translator app on my phone and downloaded it because it looked cool

2) We got prompted to visit two member boys in a town twenty minutes away

3) We taught a whole lesson in Spanish through the translator app to their aunt, whose dad is a member and went to our church as a girl 

4) A member was able to bring her and all her kids to church on Sunday just in time for the Sacrament 

5) A talk was given entirely in Spanish for the first time in my whole time here

6) A bunch of sisters in our ward talked with her in Spanish and one even translated for her in Relief Society 

7) Their family is all home together every day at the perfect time for us to teach them

God is pretty awesome, isn't He. Our first formal lesson is on Thursday, so please pray for Amy and her family! 

~

In other news:

- wrote all my BYU essays (they're due by this Friday for missionaries on continuing deferment

- Went on a hike with the Spanish missionaries and our friend Ethan

- Exploded an overripe mango all over myself fifteen minutes before interviews with the mission president

- saw a river otter  

Check out all this awesome Christian art! I just stumbled across the Church History Museum's website and it has a ton of cool online exhibits: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/collection/museum/international-art-competitions?lang=eng

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2sk1refRidSszyYk7

Love, 

Elder Rigby

Week 82 - Andersen, Missouri

 "God sculpts our lives so we can serve Him in the way He needs us most."

~

Hey all! 

 Nineteen months! I'm wiped out tonight so it'll probably be another shorter email but we're doing good (and cold as usual) out here in Missouri. I forgot to mention in my last email we got a little over half a foot of snow in one night a couple of weeks ago, so that was super fun. It may be tricky to deal with sometimes, but I really love the snow. Definitely hope I can rake in enough money to buy another ski pass when I go back to BYU in the fall. 

 Shoutout to Aslan the chocolate lab. I LOVE dogs. Maybe not like five dogs covered in mud that love smearing their muddy paws all over my freshly-washed pants (happens a lot around here), but one really nice puppo can make my whole day. Miss you Charlie boy 

 Our friend Will is progressing really steadily towards baptism! He's working on separating with his girlfriend and giving up some substances, still, but just in the past few weeks he's started consistently coming to our Book of Mormon study class with the senior missionaries, joined our Personal Finance class at our new convert Jenny's house (she needs lots of prayers right now by the way, she's going through some big struggles), and even met with our bishop after church! Plus, he's been coming to church for like three months now. We're really hopeful that he's gonna make it all the way. Pray for him too please! 

 After a lesson with a Pohnpeian family a couple weeks ago, they played us some music by a Pohnpeian artist and man, it was pretty surreal. Working with Pacific Islanders is just so fun. If you wanna jam to one of the songs they played for us, it's on called "#23" by Billy Joe Pelep Hairens on SoundCloud. Elder Perry and I also bought some tropical jerseys from the island market a couple days later and we went to an engagement party for a Pohnpeian lady and a Marshallese guy and got us some real mōñā. 

~

Actual song of the week though:

"This Is My Father's World" by the Tabernacle Choir. This one's real good! Give it a listen when you get the chance.

Photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2sk1refRidSszyYk7 

~

Thought: Hymn #1008 "Bread of Life, Living Water" 

The first time I listened to this hymn, I thought it was alright, but we sang it in church a few weeks ago and man, actually singing it was a whole different experience. I love this hymn now. Here's the chorus:

Bread of Life, Living Water, 

Feed my soul, fill my heart. 

Lord, give me new life in Thee 

And make me whole—complete and holy— 

Bound to Thee eternally.

~

Stay warm! Don't forget to pray tonight. If you haven't in awhile, try giving it a go. If you really put your heart into it and just talk to Him, God will let you know He's there.

Love,

Elder Rigby

Elder Perry's new island threads

Aslan

Week 81 - Andersen, Missouri

Hey all! 

Got a little less time this week. Also, I totally forgot my journal at the church today and I don't remember a whole ton without it so I'll just write what's on my mind.

 I've always heard that at this point in your mission it gets really easy to joke about wanting to go home. Y'all know me well enough that my sense of humor goes off the rails sometimes, so I kinda knew the "trunky" jokes were a long time coming.

 What I didn't expect to happen, though, was to be faced with a situation where I could realistically be home within the transfer if I so chose. The weight of that choice kinda does a number on a guy. 

 The details aren't worth sharing right now, but this much is: I'm staying. I am going to serve all twenty-four months I promised the Lord and y'all better hold me to it. I love the Lord and I love my job, so I'm not going anywhere. 

~

For a spiritual thought this time, I wanted to share the words of a man who I believe is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. His name is Russell M. Nelson.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ gives us a clear warning: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15) 

And His answer for how to discern true messengers? "Ye shall know them by their fruits."  (16)

 Not many sane people are bold enough to claim they're a prophet of God these days, so I'd invite you to ponder this man's fruits as you read this passage and to do it sincerely. What truths does he testify of to us? What actions does he invite us to take? What kind of people does he encourage us to become?

 Please listen to this promise of Jesus Christ to you: “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” 

 There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you! His infinite Atonement is for you! 

 I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My heart aches for those who are mired in sin and don’t know how to get out. I weep for those who struggle spiritually or who carry heavy burdens alone because they do not understand what Jesus Christ did for them. 

 Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”

 It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel.

 My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ! 

 Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy! 

 The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.

If you felt something different when you read those words and you want to feel it more, you can read the rest here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/57nelson?lang=eng

Five months to the finish. Let's get it done.

Love, 

Elder Rigby

Week 80 - Andersen, Missouri

Hey all! Boy, it's been chilly here this week. I know my buddy in Canada's gonna flame me for complaining about the cold, but I'm currently writing at 15 degrees below freezing in 88% humidity. At least it's not in the negatives. We're getting a big snowstorm tomorrow so Walmart basically got apocalypse raided by all the nice old people living in southwest Missouri. Seriously though, there are so many old people that go to our Walmart. It's weird. It makes shopping a blast though cause just about everyone's super nice and grandparent-y. Best Walmart 

Here's a few more Ozark superlatives:

Song of the week: 

"Up With the Birds" by Coldplay 

Listen if you dare...well, unless you're a missionary. 

Question of the week: 

What are some healthy ways you use to relieve stress? You'd think I'd have plenty at this point in my mission, but hey, new ideas never hurt. Most of mine from back home were listening to/practicing music, hanging out with friends, playing some Xbox, or just taking a nap, and I can't exactly do some of those right now 

Golf of the week? 

A brother in our ward designs golf clubs for Callaway and Callaway owns Top Golf so he got us and the two other Elders in our district in for free! He's also a piano virtuoso, which is sick, and he's even from Oceanside, California, where we have family reunions every year. Shoutout Rigby beach crew 

Quote of the week:

Doctrine and Covenants 128:22: 

 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. 

Love, 

Elder Rigby

Week 79 - Andersen, Missouri

 Happy New Year! 

 Hope you've all had a great Christmas and New Year's Eve. Elder Perry and I are loving Anderson and I have to say this transfer has been one of the high points of my mission so far. I've definitely had some struggles, but I love my companion, I love this area, I love the members here, and I love our friends we teach. Coming from a big college town like Fayetteville, I really didn't expect to like this little ward in the country but this month has been a good time. 

 Me write two week worth of thing and use lot word. If you want skim then hope  do trick. 

~

<- 

 We got seven whole boxes of at least ten bags of Hostess mini donuts each from our Bishop and gave four boxes of them out at the town of Noel's Christmas parade. While doing so we met an awesome Hawaiian family who have family members in the Church on the island–and the family came to church the next morning and loved it! 

+

 Remember that Thai family in the middle of nowhere who let us use their bathroom and invited us to their son's birthday party? Well, the big day finally arrived. We walked in all loaded jp with the remaining three boxes' worth of mini-donuts as a birthday gift only to find that the first event of the party was actually an hour-long sermon from an English preacher with a slideshow in Spanish and another guy translating into Karen (Kuh-ren, not care-n) and we were just flabbergasted. Honestly, it took everything Elder Perry and I had to not just bust up laughing at the bizarreness of the situation we'd just managed to get ourselves in. It was just so unreal.

 Well, after half an hour of listening to some kinda funky doctrine about sin and cleansing with the rest of the party goers, we got up to leave early, but the pastor conveniently finished his sermon like thirty seconds after we did and everyone gathered around for food. Anyways, upon dishing myself up some rice noodles and mystery soup, however, I discovered that the only solid in the broth was–you guessed it–chicken feet. Yum. 

 

 My courage faltered for a moment, but then I realized I'd quite possibly never be offered chicken foot soup again for the rest of my life and I turned around to grab me some digits. Worth it for the flex, but man, that was one of the most surreal experiences of my whole mission overall. Thai birthday party sermon with chicken foot soup in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Man. 

 

 Shoutout to Brother and Sister Horrocks for feeding us and buying us water bottles every week. They are so chill and so supportive of all the missionaries, especially because their son is serving a mission in the Arizona/Nevada area right now. Every visit to their home is so rejuvenating haha. Missionary spa for real

 One of our new converts who got baptized like a month and a half ago offered us a beer when we visited him this week  and when we reminded him we don't drink beer in the Church he offered us wine instead 

+

 I got to see my friends Clayton and Brilynn last Sunday!! They came to visit family near Bentonville and just *happened* to be in one of just two congregations that meet in Anderson out of the twenty or so that meet in the Bentonville-Rogers area. Tender mercy for real. The Bredensteiner-Bentz family has a stacked roster, let me tell ya. They're so awesome. Seeing them on my mission was so fun and soooooooo weird at the same time

+ 

 A church member invited us to their Christmas family reunion dinner and I got to see my friend Madi from Fayetteville again! It was so fun catching up with her. Plus, I also got to say hi to my other good friend Byron over the phone after she was cool enough to FaceTime him. You're cool for that, Madi. Plus, we totally robbed them blind at their white elephant gift exchange. Elder Perry got a dancing cactus and a desktop waterfall and I got an official UofA Razorbacks-themed cutting board. Big wins 

+

 Our mission leaders, the Hathaways, hosted a huge Christmas devotional with the fifty or so missionaries in the Bentonville and Rogers stakes and we had a huge game day led by President right after for like three hours. It was pretty sweet. 

=

 Mowed my own hair for the first time in my whole life today. I mean cut. Both words apply when your hair's as thick as it runs in my family. 

 Had exchanges again and I went with my old companion Elder Handley! We saw some good success and saw an awesome miracle where we prayed for an exact spot to start knocking doors at and got led to this random country road outside of town with a few houses. It didn't look like the best spot to knock at logically, but we decided to trust God's guidance and like thirty seconds after getting out of the car we found a phone on the ground with an incoming call. We picked it 

+

Got offered a blunt for the first time in my life from our bro Armando who used to work for the cartel before he ruptured both his kidneys. We said nah for the record. No zaza for the missionaries

 

Our friend Jenny was baptized! She's best friends with a an awesome member of the ward here and we can tell she's gonna go far.

~

Song of the week: "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Google Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2sk1refRidSszyYk7

A missionary I served with made a social media page called @called_to_serve_again and it's all about helping missionaries who finished their missions early connect with one another and build a community together. I thought it was a cool idea so here's a lil' plug. Check it out if it sounds interesting! 

My freshman year biology professor gave a BYU devotional! https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jamie-jensen/faith-science-symbiotic-pathways-truth/

Scripture of the week: 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? / Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Love, Elder Rigby

Whoops totally forgot to finish typing up one of our stories from last week.

So, about that exchange with Elder Handley...

"We picked up that phone we found and answered the call to find out the lady on the other line only spoke Spanish. She handed it over to her English-speaking friend and we ended up meeting him just down the street to give the phone back. Funny enough, this guy didn't even live here but he had family members who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he used to go with them whenever he'd visit! He said he wasn't a very churchy guy, but thst our timing was a little too good. He thought it was almost like it was a miracle or something...

Heh heh. Now we're cooking."

¡Feliz nuevo año!