Pictures - November 2015

'Geburtstag und Klima Haus' - November 9, 2015

Liebe Freunde und familie.

Hello everybody first off I want to start with saying thank you for your Birthday wishes. Today was a very very good day. The day started off with the normal shopping and cleaning and eating a wonderful breakast that Elder Bodtcher made for me. Crepes. Then we went to Oma Tanst for lunch. Homemade Currywurst and Pommes. It was super good but super huge so I didn't even finish it and that's saying something. Then we went to Klima Haus it was so awesome. I will send pictures. Anyway I got some gifts, mostly chocolate, but that's okay because I love German chocolate. It's time for me to go on a little diet I think I've gained like 5 kilos. So no more Coke or chocolate or Pommes for me. Well also today we had a very spiritual moment. One of our Investigators is struggilng with smoking and today he bought another pack but didn't smoke it. Right before we went to do emails we went into the woods and we all said a prayer. And then we took his cigarete pack and we smahsed that thing into the ground. It was so awesome and fun and the spirit was amazing. Today is the day that he is stopping smoking. And now I am here and we are about to go bowling.  This week I got the opportunity to go finding in Hamburg and it was so gorgeous I will see if I can send pictures in that as well. We found one new investigator for the hamburg elders and we gave out about 100 pass along cards and five book of mormons. Fall iln Hanburg is so awesome. I did some editing to the pictures to make it look even cooler. Alright unfortunatelt I saved the group email for last so I do not have a long spiritual thought bercause I am way over my time. Just now that the gospel is true I love you all and The Lord Is My Shepherd!!!!!!

Oldenberg Zone

( Parker is 2nd in from the right on the top row)

'Free Samples' - November 2, 2015

Liebe Freunde Und familie.

Hi everyone. How's it going? Things here in Bremerhaven are starting
to get cold and very very foggy. The leaves have changed color and it
is very beautiful with the fog surprisingly. Events that happened this
week. First and foremost....FRAU TANST SAID YES TO TAUFE.  She hasn't
said a date but we think that she wants to get baptized the same day
as her son which is next year in April. So obviously that is way too
long so we will try to get it set back a little sooner.
Yesterday as we were tracking we met a definite potential
investigator. He's American and was very interested in the Book of
Mormon. We are meeting with him on Friday and cannot wait.
We did service for one of our investigators and she was so thankful.
There is someone we think it's a friend of the family who may be
interested in our message. Super excited. We are focusing this week on
finding more investigators and our training for district meeting is
about how we can find better. I am giving my first spiritual thought
in meeting as a district Frau. This week we get the chance to go to
Hamburg for a leadership meeting. All of the district fraus of the
district leaders will be doing some finding in Hamburg for six hours.
Long but effective day.
Today we went to a ship museum with a friend of ours. He's not a
member but we hope that as we develop a relationship with him he will
want to take the lessons. He is definitely a talker and used to sail a
lot so he had a lot to say about these ships. He told us a story about
a ship that sank and it was extremely interesting.


Spiritual Thought: Free samples. Today we listened to a talk by Troy
Dunn about free samples. Why do grocery stores always give out free
samples? It's the most clever marketing technique....Free samples
create need for more.... Car companies create this by test drives.
Donut shops actually turn the vents of the shop toward a street so
people smell the fresh warm donuts. In life we get free samples. Some
can be good but some are for the worst. Satan tempts us with these
free samples in order to create a need for more. He literally leads us
with a weak soft flax chord which turns into chains and is eventually
very difficult to get out of. However our Heavenly Father offers us
free samples. The temple is a perfect example. Feeling the spirit.
When Saran offers us a free sample...RUN!!!!!! Don't even smell that
sample that may look delicious at first but can lead to captivity. Get
away from it as soon as possible. Out Heavenly Father promises that he
will always provide a way to get a way from temptation we just need to
take it. He also promises that he will not let Satan tempt us with
something that is impossible to resist. When we are feeling tempted we
can turn to our father and cry out for help and he will always be
there.

Well sorry this email is a little short but next week I will email
much more I love all of you so much. I wish you all a life of joy.
Tchüs.

The Lord Is my Shepherd!!!!!!!!

Pictures

'Adventures in Berlin and Transfers' - October 26, 2015

This week we were able to go to Berlin and it was so awesome. I was
able to see all my MTC friends again and actually be able to
understand what they were saying. They are all German so we spoke
nothing but German. The training really helped me with a lot of
things. One of the questions I asked was how I could be better at
finding. Be bold. Pretty much what we do from now on is be very direct
and give our potentials a choice. The culture here is very different
from American culture I'm still trying to get used to it. So for
example when we start talking to someone about God or joy, we ask them
straight up if they would like to meet on Tuesday or Thursday and then
give them a choice of what time. Someone told me that Germans love to
feel like they are in charge of the choice. This week we also had an
activity with the ward. While the sisters of the ward watched a movie
all of the brothers cooked food for them. It was a great experience to
build a relationship with our branch.
Today for p day we went bowling.... Again. I got a double strike and
Elder Bodtcher got a turkey. It was so fun! We are not really
competitive but out games are always super close. I beat him the first
time and then the second time we tied 135 to 135. Oh I almost forgot I
finally got the chance to have an eastern Döner. Western ones are not
very good. But in the east they are amazing. I'll send a picture of me
eating mine. It was amazing. My birthday is coming up and I can't
believe I will be turning nineteen and it's already almost Christmas.
Missions go by way to fast.
Transfers happened and Elder Bodtcher and I are staying. But Elder
Bodtcher is the new district leader. That makes me the district Frau.
And that also means that next transfer I have a very high chance of
being a district leader because they closed the Bremen elders program.
Let's hope I'm not I'm so not ready for that yet.

Spiritual thought
Here is my thought for the week. Whilst we were traveling to Berlin we
were listening to music and I was listening to some lyrics that really
caught my attention and so that's what I want to talk about.
The sentence that I thought about was "Hold on to what you believe in
the light when the darkness has robbed you of your sight" I took a
moment to think about that and thought about doubts. There are many
times in our lives when little tiny doubts like to creep into our
lives. When we settle on doubts they grow into enormous ones.  Friends
and family do not let doubts change who you are. From the words of
president uchtdorf doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. When
we do have doubts and when darkness robs you of a little bit of sight
you grasp and you hold on as tight as you can to what you believe. You
hold on to the arm of our savior Jesus Christ. He suffered for us and
knows exactly what it is like to have doubts and fears in life. So
hold on as tight as you can until your fingers turn white and those
doubts and the mists of Darkness will disappear. I can promise you
that with all of my heart. I love is gospel and I know it is true. I
know we can rely on the savior for anything we need even small and
minuscule things. He loves us and wants us to return and will help us
in whatever way he can. He is always walking beside us and will lift
us when we need lifting.


Well I couldn't really think of a challenge but the only thing I could
say is if any of you have doubts. Hold on to what you Believe!!!!!!!!!

The Lord is my Shepherd!!!!!!!!

'Testify' -October 19, 2015

Liebe Freunde Und familie.

Hello everybody I am officially halfway through my training. I cannot
wait to be done. Week six has finally arrived. The days get shorter
and shorter as I go, especially on p-day. Today Elder Bodtcher and I
went bowling the two games that we played were super close. He beat me
by about five each time but I blame it on the weird ball I had. We
also deep cleaned our apartment and it feels so much better to have a
nice clean apartment. We are going to Berlin this week for a trainee
meeting. I cannot wait and neither can my companion. We went on
exchanges last week and I learned so much for my exchange. I went to
Oldenburg and my companion stayed in Bremerhaven (thank goodness) it
was such a cool experience. I wish I had more time in a day but the
days here go by so fast.



Spiritual thought
Alright since i gave two challenges last week there is no challenge.
But be ready for the next one. Last week Elder Bodtcher and I had the
opportunity to teach a lesson on the word of wisdom (my first one in
German) it went really well but she had some concerns about it. We
talked for about an hour about why we keep it and what these things do
to our body. It kind of started to turn into an argument about why
some of the things could be good for you. Some things included coffee
is good for your hair, wine is good for the heart and so on and so
forth. Friends and family that never works in this situation. We
shouldn't look for reasons to obey gods commandments. Have faith and
testify of the blessings that come from keeping the commandments of
our father in heaven. Testimony is the most powerful tool on a mission
(other than the spirit obviousely) but when we testify of the
truthfulness of the gospel the spirit really works through that and
impresses that what we say is true. Friends and family I KNOW that
this church is the true church in the earth today. I KNOW that
Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. I KNOW that Heavenly Father
loves each and every one of us. Yes there will be times when our faith
is tested and stretched and pulled till almost the point of breaking.
But when it comes to that look towards God and pray with all of your
heart. And remember. In the scriptures whenever a people were
struggling with faith the advice was to always remember the things the
lord has done for us. Remember. Remember. Remember. I also KNOW that
the Book of Mormon is the most true book on the earth today and it
really does bless our lives. I testify these things to you in the name
of Jesus Christ amen.

'The Work in Deutscland Continues' - October 12, 2015

Hallo Liebe Freunde und Liebe Familie.

Hi everyone. This week has been a significantly great week. Today for P-day Elder Bodtcher and I went on a tour of the harbor. It was so cool. (Literally it was like 5 degrees(Celcious) Anyway there are some huge ships in the harbor that bring tens of thousands of cars from American and Germany. Germany is a huge car manufactoring country. Then of course like tradition has it I got some Pommes and now I am here. The weather here is starting to get much colder than usual. I feel winter is coming. It's time to get out hats, gloves and large coats. This week Elder Bodtcher and I had the opportunity to give someone a priesthood blessing. I did the annointing and he did the sealing. Our investigator (We call her Oma) was having a lot of pain in her leg and so after our lesson she asked if she could have a blessing. Naturlich we said of course. After the blessing the next day her leg was totally healed. Some may call that a coincidence and with time everything heals. I truly do not believe in coincidences when it comes to blessings. That was from our heavenly father and I know that mit meine ganzem herz.

Spitirual Thought/Challenge.

Starting something is so hard. We look at a big project or an assignment that seems impossible to complete let alone start it. Every morning I try to wake up and think. Today is a good day and I will serve the lord with all my heart might mind and strength. But there are some mornings when the bed calls and all I want to do is sleep. Why is starting things so difficult. Well I recall a talk that someone gave in my ward. (I believe it was Larry Peterson) He said the hardest part about running was getting your shoes on. It's so intersting to me that getting your shoes on could be so hard. But now I realize what he meant. So my challenge to all of you and I quote from a famous TED talk. JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! Once we start the work for some reason miraculousely gets easier and we find ourselves happy and in the groove of the work is what I like to call it. Think of something right now dont close this email until you think of something...................have you thought of something..........how abougt now..........now..............okay that should be enough time. Kay now get up and get to work. We can find so much joy in Work. Most if not all of my joy currently comes from working.


Challenge Number 2 (For the lakeview ward) Or anyone else.
My second challenge and yes I am giving two because I feel like it. Something we have going on in our Branch is something called scripture of the day. Every day someone sends a inspiring scripture to a group of people and we call Schrittstelle des Tages or Scritpre of the day. I think it is such a wonderful idea. So I invite anyone and everyone to begin this traidition. What we did is pass around a paper to anyone who wanted the scritpure with a space for cell phone numbers. It's a great reminder about the importance of the scriptures and it has helped so many people come closer to god and get closer as a branch. It would be so cool if the whole ward would get one inspiring scritpture a day. So your mission if you choose to accept it is to begin a group where one person for a week can share a scripture every day or a spiritual thought every day and then switch so every one gets a turn with sending something inspiring. It may help someone who is having a bad day or who needs a message specifically for them. I love all of you and I know my Redeemer lives. Bis Dan Tchus.



The LORD is my Shepherd!!!!!!!

'Service, Service, Service': October 5, 2015

Wow again another normal week in a day of a missionary. ( How's that
for an oxymoron) this week elder Bodtcher and I did a lot of service.
Pretty much the whole week in fact. We dug out weeds (reminded me of
my weed pulling days as a youth) we dug and leveled some ground in a
shack (reminded me of my leveling days in the chicken coup as a youth)
and we did some construction and building at brother raushes house
(reminded me of my building and construction days as a youth) it was
all very hard and long work. However the feelings we had after were
amazing. And one of the members fed us after and it was delicious.
General conference was of course incredible and I've noticed for some
reason it seemed a lot stronger than usual. I loved Elder Hollands
talk about motherhood. You mothers truly are incredible and us men
wouldn't survive without our mothers. Sadly I have not seen all of
conference because of the time difference. But I cannot wait for
what's to come. Also pray for our dear beloved President Thomas S.
Monson.

Spiritual thought/challenge:
During my week of service I had a lot of time to really ponder
something. I was reading in the scriptures about king Benjamin's
address and realized something. Right after his address everyone did
something rot away to strengthen their faith. We should do the same.
On a ,is soon you really discover who you are as a person. And there
are a lot of things I am discovering that I could definitely improve
on. Faith never stays in one place it is either decreasing or
increasing. Let's focus on the increasing of our faith. So my
challenge and Larry R Lawrence's challenge as well is really dig deep
and find something that we can improve on. It doesn't have to be a
giant complicated difficult thing. Remember all it takes is a seed and
our faith will grow. All we need is even a desire to believe and our
faith will blossom into a beautiful flower. Prayer earnestly to our
father in heaven and ask him for one thing we can work on. It will be
challenging but it is so possible we can do it! I love all of you and
wish to bare my testimony that I know our redeemer and savior lives.
The Book of Mormon is the most true book on the earth today. Joseph
smith was a prophet of God and we have a prophet today. Again I love
you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Pictures: September 28, 2015

Baptism Already: September 28, 2015

Hi Everyone. Elder Riggs from Bremerhaven. Talk about an absolutely insane amazing crazy week. Alright first news is the really weird news that happened to Elder Bodtcher and I yesterday. So yesterday the family that was going to feed us couldn't because the Branch President's wife was working. So we went home and did some studying and after that we decided to go do some proselyting. I said the prayer and right after I said amen and were about to reach for the door knob someone started pounding on the door as loud as he could and started yelling at the top of his lungs profanity and calling us pigs and was yelling to open the door. He then proceeded to back up and slam against the door to try to open it. As any normal human being would react we were absolutely terrified. We thought it was someone trying to hurt us so of course we called the police. The police arrived and came to our door. We answered the door to the man and the police. It wasn't a gangster trying to harm us, it wasn't someone who hated Mormons. It was...............just a neighbor who was mad because we dropped a couple of tennis balls on the floor and made too much noise. ARGHHH it made me so mad that that was the only reason he was pounding and trying to break in our room. He then started to go outside and spread rumors about us that we were Jehovah's Witnesses from Austrailia. Looking back at this moment it is so hilarious and we laugh about it a lot.

Okay now for the good news. On Saturday we taught an Investigator named Ibrahim, at the end of our lesson I told him that Elder Bodtcher and I were praying and fasting and we thought he was ready to be baptized. And he said....YES!!!!!!!! I am so happy already in my first week as a missionary I am getting my first baptism. He is getting baptized on October 17th. I can't wait and have never been more happy in my life.


Spiritual Thought/Challenge
Missions are extremely hard anyone who has been on a mission can testify of this truth. Already in my first week there have been a lot of discouraging moments and days where I just want a new day to start. Here is my attitude when I have a bad day.

Today was the absolutely worst day ever
And don't try to convince me that
There's something good in every day
Because when you take a closer look
This World is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some goodness does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don't last
And it's not true that
It's all in the mind and heart
Because
True happiness can be obtained
Only if one's surroundings are good
It is not true that good exists
I am sure you can agree that
The reality
Creates
My attitude
It's all beyond my control
And you'll never in a million years hear me say that
Today was a good day.


Pretty horrible right. Sometimes everyone has awful horrible days and they just want the day to be over. But when my feet hurt I think of Jesus and how he felt when nails were drove through his feet. When I am tired and my bag is heavy I think of how he must have felt carrying his cross. When I am sweating from walking in the heat all day. I think of how it must have been to sweat blood from every poor. I have learned that bad days happen and from now on have a different attitude about things. In every bad day there is always good from it you just need to think. And after every bad day there is always good and hope and light lurking around the corner just waiting to greet you with open arms. Now how can you change an attitude about a bad day. Well just read that attitude I just wrote from bottom to top.

Remember it is in our darkest times when light shines the brightest.
I leave this testimony that I know our savior Jesus Christ Lives he atoned and felt every pain we will ever feel in this life. When we are having a hard time we can turn to him. When we need healing for our soul remember it's when we turn outwards to serve others that is when our soul can be healed. I know this gospel is true with all my heart. The Book of Mormon is true. And we can receive happiness through heavenly Father. I love all of you and wish you the best of times!

'I'm in Germany' - September 21, 2015

Holy cow I cant believe I am already in Germany It has been a crazy week. Looking back these past three weeks have gone by pretty quick. Its been awesome to see this culture and the people and the FOOD!! It's so delicious my goal is to have not gained any weight when I get back from my mission. My new trainer is named Elder Botcher. He is from AF Utah. There aren't really that many native Germans on the Berlin Mission. Mostly Americans. There is one from Switzerland he's pretty cool. Well as I have gone through my first week of training there have been a lot of ups and downs. Like any missionary would have. The first day of street contacting was very hard and I felt like I wasn't much help because I didn't say anything. The next time we went I decided to be bold and trust in the lord and open my mouth. It was absolutely terrifying but as I kept talking to more people it got easier and easier. The people here are very nice and a lot of them speak English but regardless I do my best to speak German. They really like Americans so whenever people ask where we come from and we tell them we are like superstars in Germany. Church was difficult for me. It's very different from the Church I am used to and only has about twenty people that come every Sunday. It's also not in an actual church building. But regardless I am loving Germany very much.

Spiritual Thought/Challenge: On Saturday we went street contacting and met this man sitting on a bench watching the ships in the harbor. We went over and started to speak with him. The question I asked was what brings you joy in this life. The man paused and thought for a moment and said two things. God. And his creations. What power to those two sentences. It was very humbling for me to know that that was all this man needed. Now we never actually got the chance to meet with him again and he declined our offer but I wasn't upset or disappointing I am absolutely positive that our heavenly father is looking down at this man and is very pleased with him as I was with that simple statement. Later that day we went and watched the sunset and those words kept popping into my mind. God. And his creations. An overwhelming feeling of Joy came upon me as we were watching the beautiful sunset that god gave to me as a reminder that there is so much more to life than silly temporal things. My challenge is write down a list in your journal or a paper and hang it somewhere. Things that really bring you joy. There shouldn't be anything temporal only everlasting. Well That's my spiritual thought of the day. Viel gluck.

Bis Dann Tchus.

Welcome to Berlin - September 18, 2015

18 September 2015

Brother Riggs Family,

We are pleased to announce that your son, Elder Parker DuVall Riggs, is safely with us in the Berlin Mission. We have had the opportunity to get to know him, and he is ready and excited to be here. Sister Fingerle and I look forward to working with him and will do all that we can to help him serve a happy and successful mission. Elder Riggs’s first companion will be Elder Bodtcher, and they will work together in Bremerhaven for the next several weeks. If you would like to send letters to your missionary, please send them to the mission office address:

 Elder Riggs

Kirche Jesu Christi HLT

Zerbsterstrasse 42

12209 Berlin

Germany

 We have all discussed the mission goals and agreed that we will start right, work hard, and finish strong in order to fulfill our purpose to invite others to come unto Christ.

We, along with your son, appreciate the support which you give through your weekly letters and daily prayers in his behalf. Thank you for raising your son so that he can be part of this amazing work.

For a glimpse inside the mission, including occasional pictures of your missionary, you can check the blog we maintain at http://germanyberlinmission2015-18.blogspot.com. If you ever have questions, you are welcome to e-mail me at: 2010879@ldschurch.org. I’ve included a picture of Elder Riggs, his companion, Elder Bodtcher, Sister Fingerle, and me.

May the Lord bless you in all that you do.

Sincerely,

Christian H. Fingerle, President

Germany Berlin Mission

9-17-2015

Hi Jules. I'm in Berlin, well technically Freiburg, but non-the-less, I am in Deutchland. I'm literally just about to get my new trainer for the next month. Tell Canyon that I miss him. I was looking at his pictures the other day and miss him so much. Oh, guess what? I'm sending this from ..... AN IPAD!!! We are one of the few missions blessed with technology. Every eighty percent of missions don't get iPADS. Well, I gotta go and get a trainer bis Dan tchus.

First week at the MTC: September 9, 2015

Hi everyone. Holy cow it has been a week of ups and downs. England is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Our MTC only has about 60 missionaries in it so it's really nice that I can actually breath. Pardon my english if it sounds funny but i've been talking german non stop to my other german friends for the past 7 days. I am currently not learning German because I am on the two week track to leave for Berlin. I guess they thought I was good in German. The people I am with are all from Germany except for my companion who is from Austria. I am abbolultely loving the MTC.


During my first week at the MTC it has been a Roller Coaster. I have had my good days and I have had my very bad days. During our role play time I have to teach it all in German. And during our TRC visits I also have to teach it all in German. The hardest part is learning Gospel words, I was never taught that in school and so learning them is quite difficult. In my time here I have already started to think in German but I have yet to have a dream in German. I say prayers in German even though I can only say like 5 things. In otherwords German is still a hard language for me but every day I am getting a little better and eventually I will be speaking fluently (can't wait)

My spiritual thought for the day: Whenever we go down to exercises in the gym one of our Chef's, Steven, is always belting out whatever music he is listening to. Some days it ranges from lion king, to MOTAB choir. Usually the whole MTC can hear him singing. It always brings a smile to all of our faces and brightens our day a little. He is never nervous that everyone will hear him he belts it as loud as he can. So how does this relate to the gospel. Sometimes it can be very difficult to stand for what's right in the church or share what our beliefs are. Friends and Family...SING!!!!!!!! There is no reason to be afraid of belting out what we believe to be true in this church. We should be sharing gospel truths to everyone that can hear. Even if we think it's scary or frightening to share what we believe to be true.

I  am so excited to go to Berlin and can't wait to get out and sing what I believe to be true and that has brought so much hapiness to many others lives. The Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is the most true church on the earth today. The book of Mormon is true, the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Viel Dank.
Bis DANN
Tchus.


Psalms 23

Dad: September 9, 2015

........ Serving is so easy for me to do I love doing it and finding opportunities to do it. Every time at meals I always take everyone's plate. I love to serve people, it makes me feel so good. English is progressively getting harder for me to speak I find myself on the occasion forgetting English words it's super weird. There were some Americans here and we spoke to them with the Germans and I would switch into German on accident. I have found a greater love for reading the scriptures they are sooo cool. I was reading in Alma 36 and realized that this Chapter is super good. England is really cool and very different from America every time I get into a car or van in the front. I always start on the right side and realize that the front seat is on the left.........

 I love you dad.

Bis Dann Tchus!
(Until then, Bye)

My Testimony: September 9, 2015

"Wow,  I'm going on a mission. I remember I used to sing about going on a mission in Primary and now the day has come when I serve for the two hardest,best,emotional,two years of my life. First off I apologize for forgetting to write my testimony in the book but here is my testimony straight from the MTC. Braxton, Bracken, Brendan, GO.ON.A.Mission. Even if you have doubts, (which at some point you may) GO! I can promise you it is going to be so worth it. You are going to be having some very hard times, but also some awesome rewarding spiritual times. Your first week at the MTC is going to be like a fire hydrant and you are going to be very overwhelmed but that is but a brief moment. Taylor, Taylor, Miranda, Allie, Maddie, you aren't asked to go on a mission but if you do go all of you would be amazing missionaries. So if you are debating whether to go and don't know if you want to go three words of advice. PRAY PRAY PRAY. I guarantee you if you do pray you will get an answer. And if you don't go that's okay too, you aren't asked to go so don't feel like it's an obligation. But you would be such good missionaries and the people you would serve would love you so much. Friends, as a missionary I just want you to know that I do have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God lives and loves us all very very much. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet in these days. The Book of Mormon is the most true book that we could ever have (so read it) in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

-Elder Parker DuVall Riggs

September 9, 2015

JULIIIIIII!!!!!!!! I miss you so much and love you so much. Okay I didn't want to tell you in my last email but my suitcase got switched with someone else. I have my suitcase not but someone else took mine and I took hers because they looked the same. Oh my gosh, I was so upset when I opened the suitcase and saw a bikini in it. But, my suitcase is now here and everything is okay.

It's so weird because I am with Germans 24 hours of the day, I forget words in English. We were talking to some Americans at the Tempe the other day and I paused for like 30 seconds just so I could think of the word to say. It's also kind of hard to write in English.

England is absolutely beautiful. The weather is always 65 degrees and not humid. The sky is usually scattered clouds and not super hot bright sunlight. It is the ideal weather. German is so dang hard. The hardest part is teaching and the grammar. I know enough to get by but the grammar is so hard to remember. In English we would say, "I want to sleep now", in German it's "Ich mochte jetzt schalfen" which in English translates to I want now to sleep. It's just so weird. I'm getting progressively better and am constantly praying for the gift of tongues. Oh, also, I am sure from this email you can figure out but my P day in the MTC is Wednesday not Monday so that's why you didn't get an email on Monday.

I love you most and that's that.

-Elder Parker D. Riggs

Berlin Mission Home Address:
Zerbster Str. 42 12209
Berlin, Germany

Fast Sunday Count Down!

Only 23 Fast Sunday's left, we got this!!!

The aftermath - September 3, 2015

The Aftermath:

I've been asking Parker for the last 2 weeks now to work on getting packed and gather up his things so his big brother can have his room when he gets home next month. Well, let's just be hones, I've been bugging Parker about cleaning up after himself for the last 8 years of my life with him. But, for some sweet reason, today it didn't bother me to find the little messes he left behind for me: 

His socks and his wallet left on the kitchen counter.

(Parker always left his dirty and his clean socks on the counter and it drove me crazy. Today this stinky, dirty pair just made me smile.)

His skateboard left right in the walk way. 

(It has been tripped over on more than one occasion by more than just me.)

His bathroom counter, left almost as if he will be here tomorrow to use these very items. 

And, his bedroom.  It speaks for itself. 

All of these were a sweet tender mercy for my heart today. Leave it to our funny Parker, always making others laugh and smile. I'm sure he's laughing knowing that I would find his room this way today and get to clean it for him..... again! 

Tyler isn't home for almost 2 months so maybe, just maybe I will enjoy his mess for a few weeks. 

Love him so much. 

First e-mail - September 3, 2015

Hi juli i hope this is your right email. England is so gorgeous. The mtc is amazing and beautiful. The computers bug the crap out of me though. Anyway i don't have much time so i will email you a longer email when i get the chance. i am doing great though. love you bye


(Not much to it, but enough to make this momma's heart happy and content today:)

The Airport - September 2, 2015

The morning started very early. Parker was up around 5:00am after a sleepless night.  We were on the road headed for the airport by 6:30am.  It was about 10 minutes into the drive that it hit his little brother that Parker was getting on a airplane without him and very quickly Canyon became very sad. Parker and Canyon are the best of buds. They wrestled, read books, searched for snakes, built domino trains, marble and hot-wheel tracks and both shared a love for cooking in the kitchen. Canyon cried nearly the entire drive and frequently asked his Daddy to turn this car around and go back home because he didn't want this brother to leave.  

We arrived at the airport around 7:30 am and headed to check -in.  Parker was obviously nervous but kept himself very calm as we reviewed once again the important documents that he would be needing throughout his long day of travels thru Denver, then to New Jersey and then off to London. 

His baggage all passed the weight test, nothing over 50lbs.  He hasn't traveled on a plane since he was 10 so we reminded him how security works and explained his boarding pass. We were so excited to see another young man, dressed like a missionary, get in line behind us.  We were even more excited to hear that he would be making the same long travel to London as our Parker. An answer to prayers and a weight off our shoulders. I knew that he would be fine as long as he had someone to endure this long, scary day with.  Shortly after meeting him, a beautiful, sweet Sister missionary arrived. She, too, would be traveling to London, and then we knew for sure that Parker would be just fine;)  

I threw some last minute goodies in his shoulder bag to carry him through the day and then, time for goodbyes.  This part is never easy and we kept trying to avoid it but the lines for security continued to get longer and longer and we knew he had to get on his way. 

Goodbye to miss Vannah, 18 months old

Goodbye Canyon, 3 years old

Goodbye Saskya, 15 She may deny it, but she already misses him:(

Goodbye to his mom, Sonja

Goodbye to Momma Juli

His Hero, Goodbye Dad!

Goodbye Family!

After hugs, we watched him walk away. The tears could be held back no longer.  It felt as if a part of my heart was literally yanked out so he could take it with him.  I was so proud of how brave he was. He was so confident. So grown up. Such a man.  

We watched him for as long as we could see him. He led the way, patiently waiting for the other Elder and Sister to get through security and then they were gone. Three strong, courageous, life changing witnesses to the power of the Gospel, headed to unknown lands. All anxious to share the greatest gift we have been given. How can I be selfish enough to wish him home?

  Go and Do Parker Duvall Riggs. We love you and we know that 24 Fast Sundays will come and go in the blink of an eye. Enjoy every minute. 

Vannah - August 31, 2015

Savannah thinks that big brother needs to take her along with him to Germany. She fits perfectly:)

Opening his call with Family and Friends - June 27, 2015

Parker with Jen Patterson - his Trek Ma 

Parker with his Aunt Heather and Uncle Matt

Parker with his baby sister, Vannah

Parker with his mom, Sonja

Parker with Kyson and Sydney

Parker with his Uncle Tom, Aunt RaNae and cousins, Jordan, Sara, Emma and Olivia

Parker with his ward homies

Parker with Eldon, Barbara and Danielle

Parker with Bishop Ryan, Ranae and Addie Fisher

Parker with little brother, Canyon

Parker with his ward girls, Grace, Addie and Taysom

Parker with Uncle Tyler