Cannoli

Anziano Rigby and his companion, Anziano Burnham

Hey y'all!

   Haha, this week has been long!  Mamma Mia.  Probably because we did a LOT of finding, haha, but it is necessary sometimes. But if you really want to find people, you need to learn how to work with members! :)  It is all about member referrals.  I really liked what you said about cake, because its true! You have to test it to know if it's ready and if it's not then you stick it back in and let it bake a little more!   (editor's note: he is referring to an analogy I shared with him that a member of our local mission presidency gave at Stake Conference regarding investigators - when we bake a cake we put it in the oven for an amount of time, then pull it out and test it with a toothpick to see if it is done.  If it is not done, we don't just give up on the cake and throw it away; we put it back in the oven for a few minutes and then test it again.  It is the same way with investigators - we invite them to listen to the Gospel message, be baptized, etc., and if they decline we should not give up on them.  Instead we should wait awhile and then invite again.)  Haha, and like one one apostle said, "if you invite with love, it will never be taken as offensive."

"Me in an apron, haha. We had an American breakfast for dinner one day for English course, haha.  It was awesome. We made french toast, hashed browns, and bacon!"

"Some of our students making the bacon."

  So this week has been pretty good. Our numbers were not that great, but I think that we have learned a lot and are becoming better at teaching and finding. We are starting to work with the Ward members more.  As a district goal, we are trying to meet with every member this month and invite them to do something - like invite someone to FHE (family home evening) or church, for example.  And then we want to follow up and see how we can help them because, like everyone has said, referrals are where it's at!  haha.  Not only that, but we want to help the Ward become missionary-minded!  We just put together a plan with the Bishopbric to organize the less active work here in the ward.  Hopefully it will work out well.

   F________ is still having a hard time. We met with her on Saturday and she is giving a lot of excuses for why she isn't doing the things she knows she needs to like coming to church, reading the scriptures, and praying everyday.  We are still teaching her, but we told her that it is up to her to act.  It is a little frustrating to watch her just throw this opportunity away.

   Samuel is still metting with us, but we were not able to meet him this last week because he has been at the hospital a lot for his broken leg.  So we have been trying to find new people to teach and it has not been so succesful.  The skill of finding succesfully has been, and continues to be, a learning curve. It is not easy to get people to stop, let alone listen to what you have to say.  It takes a lot of listening to the Spirit, and a lot of patience.

"This Is a little activity our ward had; it was for Carnival.
It's kind of like Halloween. All the kids dress up. :)"

John

   I am so glad you got my letter!  Haha, I need to send them more often.  I was starting to wonder if it was lost in the mail 'cause I put it in a while ago, haha.

   So this week, yesterday in fact, we went to a member's house - the Madonia Family.  We went there for lunch, to break our fast, and it was delicious!  And then at the end, Sorella Madonia said she was going to make Cannoli for dessert so I asked if she could teach me!  So yesterday I learned how to make Cannoli and then we ate them.  Oh... my... goodness, they were amazing.  I love them.  :)  haha

   Thank you for all you guys do for me, it really means a lot.  I am glad that you're all doing well.  Get well, Hailey!  haha (Everyone here is getting sick as well.)  Keep being awesome, and I will talk to you all soon! 

   Love Always, Anziano Rigby