The adventures of an LDS missionary serving in the

Italy Rome mission from June 2013- June 2015

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

MTC life week 2

Buon Giorno!
 Thank you so much for the letters and packages, they really brighten up my day. I just love hearing what you're all up to! This past week has been pretty good! There are some rough days here and there but that's expected. So to answer some of your questions. Porter, I don't know if you received my letter yet, but yes, you are more then welcome to play my guitar! It makes me happy knowing that it's not just going to sit there. and to mom, yes I have sheets. I just left the fitted sheets is all. And the backpack that I have is perfect. So I'm all good there.
Cody, the food here is horrible. I guess I shouldn't say that. It's okay. But I have to say after a couple weeks of this stuff, my body is begging for green smoothies. They have the same three fruits everyday. Cantaloupe, honeydew, and pineapple that tastes like its out of a can. It's pretty sad. But they do have a salad bar (not a very good one) and they also have a wrap bar which is the bomb. You decide what to put on, kind of like subway. I only do veggies and it is delicious. Some days they even have quinoa to put on them! I am always in a good mood when that happens. It is really funny how anything new can make you happy when you"re in the MTC. For example, the other day I got some flash cards to practice words on. I was overjoyed! I would have never thought that office supplies could do that to a man. pero echo, it can. Last night we had a devotional with Janice Kapp Perry, and her husband. It was really good. they talked about music and how they used it on their mission. I had an impression that it will be important for me to remember my musical talent and to use it as a way to help the people in Italia. I'm not sure how just yet, but I will be interesting to see. I really like the idea that dad had about the shuffle. And from what I hear it is completely acceptable. Oh! I have to tell you. On the way to the broadcast on Sunday, Me and some other anziani from my district were walking around the backside of the MTC. We came around this corner, and Elder Christopherson and his wife were just taking a stroll. So as we passed them I said hi and we went on our way, but I was the only one that said anything to them. So just out of curiosity, after we passed them I asked the other elders why they didn't say anything. They were all confused and so I told them who it was. Apparently they didn't even see him! I thought it was pretty funny. As I was reading my scriptures this week I was reading in 1 Nephi capitolo 1? haha I can't remember. but anyway, it was after they left Jerusalem and they were in the desert. Laman and Lemuel were bickering as usual, but there were a couple versus that really stuck out to me. Nephi records that he prayed to know that what his father saw was true, that Jerusalem would be destroyed. He wanted to know for himself. But the part that really stuck out was this "and my heart was softened that I did not rebel against my father." I'm sure I didn't say that exactly right, but that's pretty close. It made me realize that Nephi had doubts as well. For some reason I always thought that he didn't have any problems with leaving. But it was his home too, and It would only be natural to feel a little doubtful. I don't know, I thought it was cool. None of us are perfect and we all have doubts, but through prayer and a true desire to know, we can receive strength and faith and courage to do those things that are hard. Well, I am running down on time. I will try to send out some letters today or tomorrow. now that I have some time to breath! I love you all so much. Grandpa is in my prayers, I hope all goes well. I love you Mom, I love you Dad, I love you Ashley, I love you Cody, I love you Porter, I love you Hailey!
                  love, Anziano Rigby     

Sunday, June 23, 2013

The missionary choir

Elder Rigby mentioned the possibility of being a part of the missionary choir at the worldwide church broadcast that took place today... And he was! (He's in the bottom right hand side of the screen. He's the one with the purple tie!)


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Questions and Answers

(We decided to ask Skyler a couple questions, and these were his answers! )


Hey there! I hope you guys are doing well. Alright, here it goes.
I love you guys!
-Anziano Rigby

1.   Who is your first companion?
Anziano Craig Jones


2. What are three words to describe him?
Very talented, tall, and positive!


3. What is your favorite part of the MTC so far?
The Devo's (devotionals) and the Choir! (hopefully I'll be able to be in it for the broadcast this Sunday). :)


4. Least favorite part?
I'd have to say how busy they keep us. There is literally NO time to think.




5. In the beginning of your mission where you are right now, what do you feel is one of your greatest strengths or something that helps you out the most?

Being able to work hard? 




6. What do you feel is one of the hardest parts for you or the thing holding you back the most?
I have one word for you. LANGUAGE. hahaha

Friday, June 14, 2013

Week 1

June 12, 2013

Dear Family,

The MTC is crazy! I'm seriously overwhelmed. I walked into my classroom today and the teacher was speaking pure Italian. I said to myself, "What have I gotten myself into...?" But I made it through and it was kind of fun! My P-days are on Wednesday so I thought I'd write you before then. Don't worry. I'm struggling, that is true. But it's only the first day. They say if you can make it til Sunday you'll be okay. :) Guess who my comp is? Dad called it! It's Elder Jones! Haha, he's a cool guy. I've got to go to bed. I'll write more tomorrow.


June 13, 2013

Today was good! I don't really know what to say, we studied more Italiano today and learned how to pregare (pray). We also studied the gospel discussions in Italian because we get to teach it tomorrow...in Italiano...Yikes! I'm just glad I don't have to learn Japanese or Russian or something like that. Porter and Hailey, don't forget to study! That Rosetta Stone works! So the rooms have 4 people to a room, right? Well we got one with 6! We're constantly joking about what we did to get stuck with a six bed room! But I think it has helped us grow closer really fast. I'm super scared to teach tomorrow, but I know that everything will be alright. I just need to have faith and listen to the promptings of the Spirit. (And study of course.) It really is a miracle how much language you learn in such a short amount of time. I've only been here 24 hours and I already know how to bear my testimony, say a prayer, teach the gospel, and somewhat understand my teacher. All of these things are in their simplest form of course. But still, that's pretty crazy.

So over all I'm doing quite well. I love you all and miss you. But I know that you are praying for me. I can feel the strength which comes from it. And I thank you for it. I am praying for you as well. I will email you on Wednesday. Have a good rest of the week.


Love Anziano Skyler Rigby




(Note from Ashley- He said dad called it, because the day before he entered the MTC we were looking online and stumbled upon the missionary blog of Elder Jones and learned he would be entering the MTC on the same day, and was also headed to the same mission. We joked with Skyler before he left that it was "a sign" and that Elder Jones was going to be his companion. What are the chances!)



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Arriving at the MTC

Skyler flew into Utah this morning. His aunt and uncle picked him up and took him to breakfast at IHOP!

Then it was off to the MTC! They sure delivered him in style! 

 They arrived at the MTC...

...and he was off!   

The beginning of adventures

Ashley here!
Skyler entered the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC) this morning. He sends his appreciation for everyone's support. He would also love to hear from anyone that would like to write him while in the MTC and in a few weeks when he gets to Italy!

You can find current address in the right side column of the blog. You can use www.DearElder.com to write him-- they make it extremely easy! You don't even have to pay postage, and it gets there VERY quickly.
OR if you leave him a Facebook message, I can personally forward it to him.
Thank you, guys (and gals!)!


Message from Skyler-
Hey guys! So I am leaving for the MTC tomorrow! In case you want to write me...My address for the next 6 weeks is

Elder Skyler Hugh Rigby
JUL24 ITA-ROM
2007 N 900 E Unit 97
Provo, UT 84602

And after that I will be in Italy.
The Mission home address is

Elder Skyler Hugh Rigby
Italy Rome Mission
Piazza Carnaro, 20
00141 Rome RM
Italy