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

Parker's Mission Call - June 23, 2015

Dear Elder Riggs:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Germany Berlin Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. 

You should report to the England Missionary Training Center on Thursday, September 3, 2015. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the German language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president. 

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church.  As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president.  As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized. 

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary. 

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. 

Sincerely, 

President Thomas S. Monson