'The Last Email' - 10.19.2015

Hey All!

This is the final e-mail of my mission, for I fly home on Thursday morning. All I can do is bear my testimony and maybe share some insights that I've come to learn and love in these past two years of service to Heavenly Father. It's a very strange feeling being at the end of this, because I honestly cannot fathom what's ahead of me. These really have been the best two years of my life, and now I understand why. My focus has been on the Savior and His Atonement every day, and as I ponder what it means to me, I'm reminded of a hymn that we sing in church every so often. "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me. I tremble to know that for me He was crucified, that for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died. Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me. Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me." He is my Savior and my King, and I will always be in His debt for paying the ultimate price. How merciful is my God! I have changed in ways that I never thought possible, and I only hope that I can continue to be changed as the Lord sees fit. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Lord, and though I'll never be able to completely repay Him, I know that because of His tender mercies, He will accept whatever I offer. I am torn apart in a million different ways; Wisconsin has stolen my heart. I love this state. I love the people here. I love my Savior.

"If I could have seen the future

Back a few years ago

I wouldn't believe what was coming

Just down the road.

I'm farther than I'd ever pictured;

I've done more than I'd ever planned.

It's easy to see that who I'm supposed to be

Is in Someone else's hands.

Cause all I see is a few feet in front of me

And when I don't know the way it's hard to take that step.

Though it feels like I'm walking blind and I never know what I'll find

I know that where I'm going's better than where I've been

So I will trust Him.

There's always Someone I can turn to;

I don't have to do it alone.

Wherever I am there's a beacon

Pointing me home.

And though I don't know what is coming

I'll always move forward with faith.

With one foot in front of the other

He'll help me find the way.

Cause all I see is a few feet in front of me

And when I don't know the way it's hard to take that step.

Though it feels like I'm walking blind and I never know what I'll find

I know that where I'm going's better than where I've been

So I will trust Him.

Trust Him for all of my life

Cause I'm here in the darkness

And I need to follow the Light.

Cause all I see is a few feet in front of me

And when I don't know the way it's hard to take that step.

Though it feels like I'm walking blind and I never know what I'll find

I know that where I'm going's better than where I've been

So I will trust Him.

I will trust Him.

I will trust Him."

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love you all very much. Charity is the greatest of all. I know that this is not truly goodbye, because I have an eternal perspective, as I hope you do too. I will see you again soon. Remember that you are a child of God, and remember that He loves you. Nothing else matters. Trust Him, and all that is wrong will be made right again. Again I love you, and I know that my Savior lives for me, He lives for you, and He lives for all of the children of God. God bless!

~~Elder T. Riggs

My Favorite Holiday: October 5, 2015

Hello Friends!

This weekend was absolutely spectacular! We were able to listen to General Conference, which has become my absolute favorite holiday in the world! It's really the best time of the year, because it's so full of receiving revelation and feeling the Spirit. This year, three beloved Apostles passed away after the April General Conference, so during this October Conference, three new Apostles were called to fill the vacancies: Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund. Elder Renlund actually came to the Wausau stake conference and spoke to us a few weeks ago, so it was a wonderful experience to see him speak to us as a newly ordained Apostle, a special witness of Christ. 

I'm nearing the end of my mission. This past week, Elder Whitney and I came to the realization that he had been out for 3 weeks, and I had 3 weeks left, so we're opposites! Yesterday Elder Whitney taught the Law of Chastity for the first time to an investigator, and did amazingly well! A few days ago he taught the Word of Wisdom to someone on exchanges, with someone who had also never taught the Word of Wisdom! He's a rockstar! How grateful I am to have been given a last companion who is solid, knows what the Lord expects of him, and is willing to do new things with faith that the Lord will make up for his weaknesses! 

We should be having a baptism this Saturday for Kat! She's been wanting to be baptized so badly, and has this wonderful drive to not let anything stand in her way. The great thing about this is that if you were to look at her and her living conditions, you wouldn't think that a person like her would be so motivated to do this, but she is also a rockstar! She was living the Word of Wisdom before it was even taught to her! I love Kat, and am so excited to see her make this sacred covenant with her Heavenly Father. 

I want you all to be reminded (once again) that I love you dearly. I have a few weeks yet here on my errand from the Lord, and promise that I will live that to the fullest. Keep the faith, and remember that your Savior loves you (John 15:13)!

~~Elder T. Riggs