Friday, November 21, 2014
Snow has fallen...... 11/17/2014
Hey everybody!
Sorry about not updating you last week. We had kind of a crazy day. This one is pretty nuts too.
Elder Larsen is leaving Waukesha! His reign is at an end, and he is going to Janesville to be the district leader there. He's so nervous about that. I, on the other hand, get to be district monkey again! Elder Bluth, my new companion, is the district leader, so I get to be Junior Companion again! I've heard that he is awesome, so I'm totally excited!
Yes, there is a lot of snow on the ground. It's cold, and wet. The wind is also picking up, which makes it even colder. I've survived one Wisconsin winter before, and I can do it again! I just need to make sure that I always have the Spirit, which will keep me warm ;)
The Book of Mormon is true! I hope all of you are on track to finish it by Christmas! It's so amazing how often it talks about Christ and His Atonement, and what we can do to receive strength because of Him. We all are in this world, doing amazing things, but we need to recognize that everything we do is because of Him. We have hope because of Him. We will all be resurrected because of Him. We can be happy because of Him. I encourage you all to strengthen your relationship with your Father in Heaven through prayer. He wants to hear from you, but you need to be the one to take the first step into the dark. Keep up the good work everybody, and never forget that you are a child of God!
--Elder T. Riggs
Sorry about not updating you last week. We had kind of a crazy day. This one is pretty nuts too.
Elder Larsen is leaving Waukesha! His reign is at an end, and he is going to Janesville to be the district leader there. He's so nervous about that. I, on the other hand, get to be district monkey again! Elder Bluth, my new companion, is the district leader, so I get to be Junior Companion again! I've heard that he is awesome, so I'm totally excited!
Yes, there is a lot of snow on the ground. It's cold, and wet. The wind is also picking up, which makes it even colder. I've survived one Wisconsin winter before, and I can do it again! I just need to make sure that I always have the Spirit, which will keep me warm ;)
The Book of Mormon is true! I hope all of you are on track to finish it by Christmas! It's so amazing how often it talks about Christ and His Atonement, and what we can do to receive strength because of Him. We all are in this world, doing amazing things, but we need to recognize that everything we do is because of Him. We have hope because of Him. We will all be resurrected because of Him. We can be happy because of Him. I encourage you all to strengthen your relationship with your Father in Heaven through prayer. He wants to hear from you, but you need to be the one to take the first step into the dark. Keep up the good work everybody, and never forget that you are a child of God!
--Elder T. Riggs
11-3-2014
Hello everybody!
This week has been really chilly! I've had to bundle up and even break out a thermals for some days. I am not excited for another winter out here, but I know the Lord's strength and the fire of the Spirit, I will survive! Daylight savings has really messed with our proselyting, because it now gets dark at about 4:45! It's kind of ridiculous, but we'll deal with whatever comes.
Lynn and Todd came to church and actually stayed for Gospel Principles! They are doing so well, and Elder Larsen and I think that if they continue to come to church and meet with us, we will be able to set a baptisimal date with them! :)
Other than that, we're still out trying to find those that are prepared to hear about he gospel! It's difficult with a hole in your shoe to be walking around a lot, but that's okay. It just means the hole will get bigger! :D
The Atonement is real. I've been thinking about a lot of the messages that the world gives us and how different they are from God's messages. One of the biggest things that frustrates me is when the world says that people don't really change, or that someone is "set in their ways." The Atonement says otherwise People do change. Every day. Whether they recognize it or not. The key is, do you want to chance, and are you willing to do what it takes? By applying Christ's Atonement into our lives, He can change us into the person that He knows we can become. We can change, but we have to let Him do the changing, because He knows best.
I Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
This week has been really chilly! I've had to bundle up and even break out a thermals for some days. I am not excited for another winter out here, but I know the Lord's strength and the fire of the Spirit, I will survive! Daylight savings has really messed with our proselyting, because it now gets dark at about 4:45! It's kind of ridiculous, but we'll deal with whatever comes.
Lynn and Todd came to church and actually stayed for Gospel Principles! They are doing so well, and Elder Larsen and I think that if they continue to come to church and meet with us, we will be able to set a baptisimal date with them! :)
Other than that, we're still out trying to find those that are prepared to hear about he gospel! It's difficult with a hole in your shoe to be walking around a lot, but that's okay. It just means the hole will get bigger! :D
The Atonement is real. I've been thinking about a lot of the messages that the world gives us and how different they are from God's messages. One of the biggest things that frustrates me is when the world says that people don't really change, or that someone is "set in their ways." The Atonement says otherwise People do change. Every day. Whether they recognize it or not. The key is, do you want to chance, and are you willing to do what it takes? By applying Christ's Atonement into our lives, He can change us into the person that He knows we can become. We can change, but we have to let Him do the changing, because He knows best.
I Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
10-27-2014
Well hello everybody! :D
Today is the last Monday in October and it is about 63 degrees outside right now. What happened? I mean, I'm not complaining, but it's really weird to thin that November happens on Saturday, but we're still having nice weather. Maybe by next week it will cool down and return to normal.
Elder Larsen and I have been doing a lot of finding this week. One of our most solid investigators has been out of town this past week and two of our other investigators have been busy. Welcome to tracting apartments! We've seen a lot of great success as we got out and work to bring souls to the Lord. We were able to testify to a wonderful lady named Mary who has been going through a lot of heath problems and has been questioning her faith. We told her that she was a daughter of God and that He knew where she was at this point in her life. She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and said that she would read it! Hopefully we will be able to teach her and her family the Restoration tonight when we stop by.
Thursday was my one-year marl! I am over the hill as far as mission life goes! It's a really weird thought that I still have another year of growth and learning while a missionary. There are so many memories that are crammed into one year of service and to think that I am only halfway done with it is amazing. Here's to a great year full of faith and testimony!
By the way, there's a new Mormon Messages about suicide prevention that is really good. I encourage each of you to watch it, because we might not even know if someone around is is struggling with suicidal thoughts, and it's good to have a reminder to be looking out for the person that we can help. Here's the link:
hhtp://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3851853843001&cid=HPTU102114502
Got to go! Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
Today is the last Monday in October and it is about 63 degrees outside right now. What happened? I mean, I'm not complaining, but it's really weird to thin that November happens on Saturday, but we're still having nice weather. Maybe by next week it will cool down and return to normal.
Elder Larsen and I have been doing a lot of finding this week. One of our most solid investigators has been out of town this past week and two of our other investigators have been busy. Welcome to tracting apartments! We've seen a lot of great success as we got out and work to bring souls to the Lord. We were able to testify to a wonderful lady named Mary who has been going through a lot of heath problems and has been questioning her faith. We told her that she was a daughter of God and that He knew where she was at this point in her life. She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and said that she would read it! Hopefully we will be able to teach her and her family the Restoration tonight when we stop by.
Thursday was my one-year marl! I am over the hill as far as mission life goes! It's a really weird thought that I still have another year of growth and learning while a missionary. There are so many memories that are crammed into one year of service and to think that I am only halfway done with it is amazing. Here's to a great year full of faith and testimony!
By the way, there's a new Mormon Messages about suicide prevention that is really good. I encourage each of you to watch it, because we might not even know if someone around is is struggling with suicidal thoughts, and it's good to have a reminder to be looking out for the person that we can help. Here's the link:
hhtp://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3851853843001&cid=HPTU102114502
Got to go! Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
10-20-2014
Hey Everyone!
So this week we, as a zone, got to watch the new movie, "Meet the Mormons" and it is absolutely phenomenal! The beginning is hilarious, and it's just a roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed. I (almost) cried. If you haven't seen it, YOU NEED TO! And bring your friends! This is definitely a movie that I'm buying when I return home, because it's just spectacular. :)
This week has also been full of service for others. That's one of the most important things that we can do on earth, because we are so dependent upon others for so much, and it's a great feeling to have accomplished that for someone else. After all, that's exactly what Christ did everywhere He went! He served others and turned outward when the natural man would have turned inward. He is the perfect example of service to all.
It's getting cold here in Waukesha! I'm totally not excited for winter to come, because I've already experienced of them and I know what to expect. I'm hoping that I an stay here in Waukesha through the winter, because transferring in the middle of winter is terrible. Elder Larsen is already predicting that he's going to stay another transfer here, but we'll have to see. :)
I hope all of you are reading the Book of Mormon and are on track to finish it by Christmas! It is the best self-help book in the world and really helps us understand how we can better our relationship with Christ.
Love you all!!
--Elder T. Riggs
So this week we, as a zone, got to watch the new movie, "Meet the Mormons" and it is absolutely phenomenal! The beginning is hilarious, and it's just a roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed. I (almost) cried. If you haven't seen it, YOU NEED TO! And bring your friends! This is definitely a movie that I'm buying when I return home, because it's just spectacular. :)
This week has also been full of service for others. That's one of the most important things that we can do on earth, because we are so dependent upon others for so much, and it's a great feeling to have accomplished that for someone else. After all, that's exactly what Christ did everywhere He went! He served others and turned outward when the natural man would have turned inward. He is the perfect example of service to all.
It's getting cold here in Waukesha! I'm totally not excited for winter to come, because I've already experienced of them and I know what to expect. I'm hoping that I an stay here in Waukesha through the winter, because transferring in the middle of winter is terrible. Elder Larsen is already predicting that he's going to stay another transfer here, but we'll have to see. :)
I hope all of you are reading the Book of Mormon and are on track to finish it by Christmas! It is the best self-help book in the world and really helps us understand how we can better our relationship with Christ.
Love you all!!
--Elder T. Riggs
Thursday, November 20, 2014
10-13-2014
Hey Hey Hey!
So I'm in Waukesha enjoying my time here with Elder Larsen. He's totally awesome and really funny! This area is so amazingly awesome, with a lot of great people to talk to and a good sized ward. I hope I can stay here for the duration of winter.
Speaking of cold weather, it's been pretty chilly here. I thought I was going south to warm up, but I've been breaking out the sweaters and craving hot chocolate! The sky has been fairly gloomy, and it seems like it's going to rain. I am not excited for winter to come, but at least I only have 1 left. I made it through the last one, so I know I can make it through this one. :)
President Cutlet has asked us as a mission to read the Book of Mormon completely through before Christmas as our gift to the Savior. I unfortunately cannot attach the pdf file on this computer, but I promise to next week! Today's reading assignment is 1 Nephi 16-17. By next Monday, you should be done with 2 Nephi 9. It's about 7 pages a day of reading, so if you're behind (like I am) I encourage you to put forth the extra effort into getting caught up! As you read, be sure to look for things that talk about Christ's Atonement, but more specifically, what we can do to take hold of and apply His Atonement into our lives. You can do it now, just like President Uchtdorf has said!
Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
So I'm in Waukesha enjoying my time here with Elder Larsen. He's totally awesome and really funny! This area is so amazingly awesome, with a lot of great people to talk to and a good sized ward. I hope I can stay here for the duration of winter.
Speaking of cold weather, it's been pretty chilly here. I thought I was going south to warm up, but I've been breaking out the sweaters and craving hot chocolate! The sky has been fairly gloomy, and it seems like it's going to rain. I am not excited for winter to come, but at least I only have 1 left. I made it through the last one, so I know I can make it through this one. :)
President Cutlet has asked us as a mission to read the Book of Mormon completely through before Christmas as our gift to the Savior. I unfortunately cannot attach the pdf file on this computer, but I promise to next week! Today's reading assignment is 1 Nephi 16-17. By next Monday, you should be done with 2 Nephi 9. It's about 7 pages a day of reading, so if you're behind (like I am) I encourage you to put forth the extra effort into getting caught up! As you read, be sure to look for things that talk about Christ's Atonement, but more specifically, what we can do to take hold of and apply His Atonement into our lives. You can do it now, just like President Uchtdorf has said!
Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
10-06-2014
Transfers are this week and I am leaving Marinette! I'm sad to go, but the Lord needs me elsewhere to further His work in Waukesha. This will be my fourth area/zone in the mission and my sixth companion in the field. Life is coming at me fast, and it's only going to come faster! Yikes!
General Conference was this past weekend and, as it always is, it was mind-blowing! I have come to realize that General Conference is my favorite time of the year, because it gives us the opportunity to listen to the Lord's prophet and apostles speak to us to give us instruction, encouragement, and correction. My favorite talk was by Jorg Klebingat about 6 things we can do to increase our spiritual confidence.
I just want to make sure all of you understand that our families should be the most important physical possession that we have. I dearly miss mine, but I know it won't be long before I see them again. Families truly can be together forever, but we must enjoy them now.
Love you,
--Elder T. Riggs
General Conference was this past weekend and, as it always is, it was mind-blowing! I have come to realize that General Conference is my favorite time of the year, because it gives us the opportunity to listen to the Lord's prophet and apostles speak to us to give us instruction, encouragement, and correction. My favorite talk was by Jorg Klebingat about 6 things we can do to increase our spiritual confidence.
I just want to make sure all of you understand that our families should be the most important physical possession that we have. I dearly miss mine, but I know it won't be long before I see them again. Families truly can be together forever, but we must enjoy them now.
Love you,
--Elder T. Riggs
Nothing much has changed 09-02-14
Other than my new companion, that is :) His name is Elder Levacy-Sabin and he's from Rexburg, Idaho. He's my combo breaker because he's older than me and he's not from Utah! I knew it was going to happen eventually.
There really isn't much else to report here in Marinette. The branch is still going through a few struggles, but I can really see the hand of the Lord in their lives guiding them. We must trust in the Lord through all of our trials because He is the one who will help us get through them and learn from them. I'm almost out of time, so I've got to go!
Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
There really isn't much else to report here in Marinette. The branch is still going through a few struggles, but I can really see the hand of the Lord in their lives guiding them. We must trust in the Lord through all of our trials because He is the one who will help us get through them and learn from them. I'm almost out of time, so I've got to go!
Love you all!
--Elder T. Riggs
Transfer Week 08/25/14
Hey Everybody!
This week is transfers and I'm not leaving! Elder Ostergaard is getting transferred up to Houghton! My new companion is going to be Elder Levacy-Sabin, who served with Elder Cranney up in Houghton a little while back, so that's going to be exciting! Elder Ostergaard is really sad about leaving. Saturday, when we found out who was being transferred, he told me over and over again that he was leaving. I think he's still in denial a little bit. Transfers are always a sad thing, because we grow so attached to the area, the members, and our companions. Elder Ostergaard has set a great example to me of how to really love the people. I just hope that I can exemplify that as well as he did.
One of our investigators dropped us, which is always very sad, but one of the members here has a friend that sounds like he's totally prepared to accept the gospel! We'v been really focusing on working with less-active members to find people to teach, and the branch council is totally behind us! The Adversary has been really trying hard to break this branch apart lately. There has been so much opposition. It's really interesting to note that Satan has only two options when he tries to break something apart: he will either break it up and get his way, or the people draw closer to God and become stronger than they were. Only two options. The key is that we have to ALWAYS be turning to God, not only through our trials, but before they happen. That way we will be able to withstand anything that the adversary throws at us. There's a saying that a lot of people repeat that says that God will never give us anything that we can't handle. That's not true. God gives us things that we can't handle with the hope that we will turn to Him. We need a constant connection with our Father. One thing that we need to remember through our trials is that the amount of potential we have for greatness is directly proportional to how difficult the trials are. If we stay strong, then we will become the people that the Lord knows we can become.
The Church is true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ not only makes spiritual sense, but it also makes logical sense. Don't believe me? Find our for yourself. Read from the Book of Mormon, the most correct of any book on earth. Pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him. He is always waiting for us to come to Him. He loves you and knows you by name. You are everything to Him.
I love you!
--Elder T. Riggs
This week is transfers and I'm not leaving! Elder Ostergaard is getting transferred up to Houghton! My new companion is going to be Elder Levacy-Sabin, who served with Elder Cranney up in Houghton a little while back, so that's going to be exciting! Elder Ostergaard is really sad about leaving. Saturday, when we found out who was being transferred, he told me over and over again that he was leaving. I think he's still in denial a little bit. Transfers are always a sad thing, because we grow so attached to the area, the members, and our companions. Elder Ostergaard has set a great example to me of how to really love the people. I just hope that I can exemplify that as well as he did.
One of our investigators dropped us, which is always very sad, but one of the members here has a friend that sounds like he's totally prepared to accept the gospel! We'v been really focusing on working with less-active members to find people to teach, and the branch council is totally behind us! The Adversary has been really trying hard to break this branch apart lately. There has been so much opposition. It's really interesting to note that Satan has only two options when he tries to break something apart: he will either break it up and get his way, or the people draw closer to God and become stronger than they were. Only two options. The key is that we have to ALWAYS be turning to God, not only through our trials, but before they happen. That way we will be able to withstand anything that the adversary throws at us. There's a saying that a lot of people repeat that says that God will never give us anything that we can't handle. That's not true. God gives us things that we can't handle with the hope that we will turn to Him. We need a constant connection with our Father. One thing that we need to remember through our trials is that the amount of potential we have for greatness is directly proportional to how difficult the trials are. If we stay strong, then we will become the people that the Lord knows we can become.
The Church is true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ not only makes spiritual sense, but it also makes logical sense. Don't believe me? Find our for yourself. Read from the Book of Mormon, the most correct of any book on earth. Pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him. He is always waiting for us to come to Him. He loves you and knows you by name. You are everything to Him.
I love you!
--Elder T. Riggs
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