Fall Is In The Air

Hello fam! Well this week has been pretty good. The weather is changing, and it is nice! I really like this time of year. There are so many changes. I was reading a talk in the Liahona for this month about seasons in our lives. It was by Uchtdorf, and it talked about how we need the different seasons in our lives. A lot of times we wish that we could always have a nice "spring day" where we don't have troubles in our lives, and we can be care free. But we need the "Cold winter days" to enjoy the "hot summers", and visa versa. It really made me think about how I react to bad days, and how I need to understand that we all need to have those bad times to enjoy the good days.

   It sounds like you guys are having fun there! You are going to have an awesome trip. I can't wait to see some pictures! That is absolutely my favorite place to go. It is so peaceful, and calm. you can really think out your problems, and come back with renewed energy.

   The work has been going well. we had 7 other lessons this past week which is pretty good. but none of our investigators came to church...which by the way was amazing!

   On Sunday, we woke up at :.30 to go to a meeting with Elder Ballard that was just for the missionaries. He talked to us about the work in Italy, and what he thinks we can do to help the work in our mission. He focused a lot on dispensations. because when someone understands dispensations, they understand the need for a restoration. He also said we should focus our efforts on those who are 12-40 years old, and families. he also talked about how God and Jesus Christ were the first missionary companionship of the latter-days, and how we are literally representatives of Christ.

   And then in the stake conference, he talked about the importance for members and missionaries working together. He also talked about the blessing of temples and he said something I really liked. He said "Every time you drive by the temple you should think about where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going. It is because of the temple that you can have the comfort of knowing no matter what happens in this life, you can be together for all time and eternity." It truly is a wonderful blessing, and we should want to share it with everyone who will listen because they can have that comfort as well. 

   Well, It is getting time for me to be done. I recieved the hard drive case. Haha I'm sure the hard drive will get here soon. Thank you so much for sending me one! 

   Don't ever worry about me getting mad hailey, I am never mad. Thank you for even writing me!

   Mom, Preach My Gospel is an amazing book. And chapter 6 is one of my favorites to study. You will learn a lot if you study it well.

   Port keep up being awesome. but don't die on the hike this time! haha

   Dad, You shouldn't have to get it destrung. That is one of the many beauties of compounds. :)

   Alright, I'm out of here. I love you, and am praying for your safety.

   Love always, Anziano Rigby

Q & A with Elder Rigby

Q: Do you guys go to an Internet cafe to access the computer and can you print you're emails?

A: Yeah we go to a cafe to do internet. I could print them but they cost money. I received your package and the letters! last Thursday. I am working on writing back. You could write to my home address but its not as likely to get there. The post service here is all kinds of messed up. Sometimes the post man won't come for a couple weeks because he wants a break. It's just a lot better to send it to the office. haha



Q: Is it easy to find fresh food there?  Do you eat pizza EVERY day like some of the missionaries

 A: The fruits and vegetables are always really fresh because they don't really know what fridges are. ( Just kidding they do) But it is expensive to use them so everything is just fresh. The tomatoes here are REALLY good. I know you would love them. We don't eat pizza every day, every week we do, we eat a lot of pasta though, almost everyday...



Q: What is the biggest thing that has surprised you about your mission thus far?

A: Hmmm, I would say how fast it is going. I don't know about you guys, but it is going pretty fast for me. Which I am pretty grateful for. Not that I don't like it here, but yeah haha

Pics from August

The Sisters

                                                        The missionaries in Rome 3

Rome 3, Sept 11

Hello Everyone!

   This week has been full of finding, and full of little miracles!

First off, it is great to hear about the weather there! You will have to enjoy it for me because this is my favorite time of the year. It reminds me of riding four-wheelers, taking the Bronco out, going on hikes, having a great Thanksgiving, and all the other great things that we do. Haha soooo wink wink.

   So this week we did a lot of finding again. But it has been really good to see the fruits of our labors. The success comes as you are obedient, and not only willing to talk to everyone, but literally trying to talk with everyone. But the most important thing I think is listening to the Spirit. Like I talked about last week, it's just the little feelings you receive and then following them. I am far from perfect, and I have a hard time remembering to listen, but it is always there. It is just really quiet.

   The language course is going well. We have quite a few people attending, and we just put out more advertising so hopefully it will grow even more. Almost all the people here in Rome know at least a little English because it is taught in the schools and there are a lot of people from other countries who speak English, but it is usually very little. It's kind of funny to think that I sound like that when I try to speak Italian, but oh well. I just feel bad for those who have to figure out what I'm saying.

   We don't have any baptisms coming up for a while, but our ward has 3 on the 22nd! It is way awesome! I am so excited for them all. They are the investigators of the other Anziani, and the Sorelle. Oh! I don't know if I told you this, but I'm sure you've heard it from somewhere. This Sunday Elder Ballard Is coming to combine the Napoli, and Sardegna stakes so there is a big stake conference here in Rome. It is going to be pretty cool.

   I am witting some letters to you guys so sorry if this is short, but I'm saving some stuff for the letters.

   I can't wait to hear how the hike goes! You will have so much fun I can already tell.

   Well, I'm not sure if I have pictures to send or not. If not, I'm sorry. haha I need to take more I know. Oh and thanks for sending the hard drive. I appreciate it.

  l love you guys so much I pray for you everday, and I keep you in my thoughts constantly. 

   I will talk to you later. 

   Love, Anziano Rigby

Rome 3, Sept 4

Hello everyone!

   Wow, you guys all sound so busy there! It is good to hear. I have to say I really miss fixing sprinklers and doing random jobs around the house. I kind of fixed our toilet the other day...but that's about as exciting as it gets!  

   Dang, gluten free, che figo (that's cool)! I wish I could do that...kind of. I am constantly worried that I am gonna get a gluten allergy or something cause I eat so much pasta! But the good news is I am cutting back. (I also eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.) Oh! on the subject of food, Mom, could you send me some of your recipes like your cornbread, and cornmeal rolls and cinnamon rolls, and some healthy recipes? I would love it if you did! But anyway. Way to go Ash!

   Alright. So this week we got transfer calls, and I am staying here with Anziano Bennett. Anziano Sargent got assigned to Sardegna. It is sad to see him go, but I know he will do great there. Anziano Robinson is staying, and he is going to be training! So we will have another greenie in the house!

   This past week we have had a lot of people cancel on us, and not show up to appointments. Kind of a bummer, but what can you do right? So we have done a lot more finding, and street contacting! It has been a good experience. And I am getting better at it. There are three things you need to remember when doing street or house....anytime really. We call them the three P's. Powerful, Prayerful, and Positive. It is so important to remember these three things. It turns what could be a bummer of a day into a day of success and miracles.

   Just yesterday, we were waiting for someone for an appointment but they didn't show. So we went and did street finding! As we were contacting we walked past a huge apartment complex. We felt we should go in and knock on some doors, so we did and nothing came of it. As we were walking away, there was a couple with a 2 year-old girl in the parking lot so we talked with them. They thought we were TJ's and so we explained who we were, and what we do, and what we believe in. This whole time their little girl was running around carrying a bag. She would come up to me, and look at me so I would smile and say ciao, and she would smile. Then she would run away and do it all over. Then she came up to me and she started pulling things out of the bag and handing them to me and she would say what they were. She was the sweetest little girl! We had a good discussion with this couple and then asked them if we could exchange numbers so we could talk more. He said "numbers no. But I will go to your site and learn more." (We had given him a little pass along card with our information.) He then said this. "I must tell you. This is crazy. My little girl never talks to strangers, let alone plays with them. You must be good people, and you must have good hearts, because she never does this." 

   Now I don't write this to say I'm a good person or anything, because I am far from it. But me and Anziano Bennett had been talking about how babies and little kids can sense a difference. They can feel a difference for some reason, and because of it the man wanted to learn more about who we are. Because of his daughter.

   After we talked to them, we felt we had accomplished what we were in that area to do. It was not a huge feeling at all. But just a slight difference in how we felt. When I was younger, I always thought missionaries could feel the spirit so strong and it talked to them more. That is not what it is at all. We can all feel the spirit, and we don't feel it any more than anyone else who is listening. But that is the secret. Becoming accustomed to listening to it. In our daily lives it may be harder because we have other things to think about. Here in the mission field, our purpose is to listen to the Spirit, and only listen to the Spirit. so it seems easier. Also we strive to be exactly obedient. I think, just like in the mission field, every little thing counts. Being obedient isn't just something for missionaries, it is for everyone. And I think we can all do better at that. Me anyways. haha

   Well, that was my cool experience for the week. I don't have anything really to say about what gets me down. I still can't understand much of what people say on the street and that can get frustrating, but only if you let it get to you. I'm sorry I don't have more to say. I think it is one blessing of the mission that you remember the good things, and the bad things seem to fade away. Like with the MTC. I can remember that it was one of the hardest things I have done, but when I try to think why, all I can remember are the good times, and good experiences I had. That might sound silly, but that is what I have experienced so far. Just one of the many small and tender mercies of the Lord.

   Thank you again for all your e-mails. And thanks for the spiritual thoughts! I loved what you said about Laman, and Lemuel. It is all good and fun and uplifting to talk about those topics until you start contending and I think it is interesting how Nephi asks if they had inquired of the Lord. Because it is always when we start relying on the knowledge of men, and our own understanding, then Satan is able to sneak in contention. If you are relying on what God has said, or what prophets have said, there is no room to contend. Very interesting indeed. Thank you for that.

   Alright I better go. I love you all and I hope you are having fun and staying safe! See ya later dudes!!! (Movie Trivia) I'll give you a hint. It's a Disney movie. :)

Ciao!

    Love always, Anziano Rigby.