'Hope Never Fails' - 4.25.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie

HELLOOOOO EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!

We are already in the third week of the transfer and I feel like its been two days. Time is on hyperdrive on a mission and looking back it is amazing seeing the change that has taken place in my heart and soul. Thats exactly what god does. Takes raw material (Such as myself) and helps them become better people. Now, I am still FAR FAR from perfect and have many many weaknesses that I am still trying to overcome but I am grateful for the fact that I have an all powerful being on my side to help me with those.

Last week wasn't super busy but yestardy was the highlight. We did get the chance to meet with michael again on wednesday. He is understanding the gospel but still has some questions about small things such as why is there a ceremonie or ritual for baptism? Or Why is there an organisation to the church mainly why do we have apostles? We did our best to answer them but I think he is still a little confused.

This week is super full. We have made out many appointments and are going to be super busy and stressed but I LOVE being busy. Finding for six hours of the day isn't exactly the most thrilling experience so I am happy that we are meeting with loads of people. Mentor and his wife should have had the baby by now and I can't wait to meet the little guy.

SO YESTARDAY. WAS. AWESOME. First of all michael came to church and is now coming very regularly. After church we had a little brief discussion with him and he thanked us for what we do. He told us that something has touched his heart and its something he hadnt felt in a very long time...HOPE. The process of finding god and trying to draw near unto him is working he has found the very thing that will give him the kickstart to know what is true and that is the very thing that I am trying to develop even more and that is HOPE. Oh man I just wanted to wrap the guy up and hug him but that would be really strange and awkward so I had to try really hard not to. ALSO the guy who works at the doner shop decided to come yestarday as well. He has been coming off and on but because he is always super busy with work he can't come as often. But he came.....with nine of his friends. Him and his friends doubled the branch and we had about twenty people there. It was such a great moment being able to share a little bit of the gospel with them. We gave two of them a book of mormon because they all live together in a hotel but they basically all want to help people and serve people. Our doner friend is a great christian and looks for any opportunity to help and serve others. They will be coming in a coulple of weeks and cook tons of food for homeless people or old people out on the streets. Recently I was thinking about service and realized that sometimes the best kind of service is the service you give that only god recognizes. We are super stoked to start teaching him and can't wait to see the change take place in his life.

Love you all bye.


Elder Riggs

The Lord is My Shepherd.

'Miracles' - 4-18-2016

Liebe Freunde Liebe Familie

Hello Everybody. This week went by insanely fast. It was transfer week so it was pretty dang hectic trying to get used to a new comp and showing him around the area. He is so fantastic and I am loving a lot of the ideas he is bringing into the area. He is from Provo Utah (Third comp in a row that comes from Provo) has been on his mission for a little over a year now, and is just an amazing man.

Last week we taught an investigator who I was sure was not going to change. Elder Thomas and I had taught her and had invited her to baptism and she had declined saying she was already baptized in another churhc. We tried to explain to her authority and why it's important to be baptized with the proper priesthood authority but she was set (Like most germans usually are) in her opinion. Well Elder Partridge and I taught her again and an impression came to me that I needed to talk to her about baptism again. We did and I had realized we had not asked her to actually ask God to see if this was the right path she should go on. She accepted the invitation and she will pray to find out if this is the right way. She already knows the Book of Mormon is true she just hasn't quite acted on it yet but we will definetely get her in the water.

MICHAEL CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!!!!!! Oh man it was so awesome. I love this man so much he is an amazing person. He is a searcher and is finding more and more things to fill his hole. I still love seeing it in action. On sunday I was sitting at the organ practicing hymns and I looked over to see michael talking with some members. There has been a change. His eyes seem so much more bright from when we first met with him, He is feeling the love of God and is changing into someone even more incredible. During Sacrament meeting I was kind of daydreaming a little and I pictured him on the stand wearing a white shirt, nice suit and tie, talking to the members as a branch President. We are meeting with him this week and am excited for another amazing spiritual filling lesson.

Seeing as how it is the new transfer I decided to make my tansfer goals based on the christlike attributes found in PMG Ch. 6. Hope is my first attribute that I set goals for. As I continue my mission every new transfer will be a new attribute in which I can develop to become more like our savior. As I was making goals and focusing on hope one of the goals I had set was to recognized miracles, blessings, and tender mercies. As I looked back there have been many passed moments when I could have thanked my father for those small little things that have given me the extra push that I need to keep the work of the lord going. Things such as Elder Thomas randomly telling me that I was a great missionary, or the time some little old German lady just decided to give us little bon bons in her pocket, or the sincere and humble prayers that our investigators offer. In the scriptures we continuously hear the word Remember on many occasions. That word is there for a reason. I know mormon kept that word because it was  word that we would need to have in these times. As I remembered and recollected all of these tender mercies and blessings God has given me I have developed an substantial amount of hope in my life. In doing this with the hope that I have received Elder Partridge and I had a very cool experience yestarday. Before Elder Partridge came Elder Thomas and I had put in the newspaper article a small little blip about our game night we offer every Friday. It has been very unsuccessful in the last couple of weeks and the only one that came was Bruder Schmidt. Yestarday Elder Partridge and I were doing some finding with very little success. (Sunday Germany kind of becomes extinict for a day and everyone just kind of chills at home) We went to the church and were being followed by four teenagers with piercings all over their face. They were very nice actually and asked if we had fliers for the activity night. Four new people will be coming to our activity night because we had been there at the exact time. Friends and Family there are NO such things as coincidences. Every tiny little miracle or blessing that comes, comes from a loving heavenly father. This plan has very big steps such as death, ressurection, judgement, earthlife, etc. These little tiny miracles or blessings or tender mercies that we receive are all little microscopic portions of the great plan of happiness. Miracles exist. It breaks my heart when I speak with someone who does not believe in the goodness of a loving heavenly father. Someone who has lost hope in a better life. These amazing wonderful things that we receive is a testimony to me that we have a Father who is waiting for us and guides us along the path and when we have the Hope to receive his blessings and Miracles we will receive them. Hope and Faith Brings to Pass Miracles!!!!!!!!

Work of the lord keeps pressing forward. Saving souls continues here in Belin Germany. The Greatest Mission of the World.

Elder Riggs

'Transfers. A last goodbye to Elder Thomas' - 4.11.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.

Hellooooo Everybody. Yestarday we received our transfer calls and received the news that I will be staying yet another transfer and Elder Thomas will be leaving and going to Magdeburg. We are both super excited for change and new companions. However I will miss this man so much. He is probably one of the most christlike people I have ever met. There are many things he has taught me and he has played a huge role and impact in my life. I have been humbled so many ways by him and he has helped get through many of my weaknesses. I will always remember the night laying in our beds when he told me I was a great missionary. I don't know if he knows the emotional impact that made on me but it is something I will never forget. Goodbye Elder Thomas.

And Hello Elder Partridge. He is my new comp. And so far from what I've heard he is amazing. I am excited to again learn something new from a new comp. New Ideas, opinions, gospel teaching, and I am way stoked.

This week we are planning to meet with michael again. He's been really busy lately as well as all of our other investigators. We will set up an appointment this wednesday and see how are newfound friend is doing. I've seen so much change already in this man and he seems to be much happier now. He still has a long way to go but god can change someone in a matter of hours.

Yestarday we had the opportunity to watch the Sunday afternoon session of General confernce. I naturally watched it in english, while Elder Thomas watched it in German. A certain talk really hit deep in my heart and has given me so much hope. Jeffrey R. Hollands talk was a boost that I needed. My journey so far in Eberswalde has been rough. There have been many times when I didn't know if I was strong enough to handle the challenges that come. I truly have recognized just how weak I really am and I have been fighting like a lion to change my shortcomings. I never really felt though that I was there at the point when I could look back and go "I made it" The talk gave me so much hope and light in my heart. The lord gives credit for trying. And he will never let us go. How great is that!! Our shortcomings can be overcome and when we simply try to overcome them our father in heaven blesses us with immeasurable blessings. I have a much stronger confidence in myself and my capabilities but I have finally realized that I don't need to be confident in my self...I just need to have confidence in the lord. There is no man, no thing that I think we can't have more confidence in. Once I develop the confidence in him the confidence in me will grow. It's been a hard two transfers, but I can look back and see the change through the lord in myself and it is so spiritually rewarding. Two more down many more to go. Serving in God's army is the best job in the world. I love each and every one of you and hope that you feel God's love. God be with you till we meet again.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

Elder Riggs.

April Fools

'Spiritual Renewal'- 4.4.2016

Liebe Freunde. Liebe Familie.

Hello Everyone. I hope your conference weekend was filled with the spirit and hope and love. I definetely felt the spirit of the lord this weekend and have found answers to the many questions that I have had. Conference is a very special thing to me and I have found a greater desire and love to hear the words of our prophet Thomas S Monson and his apostles. President Uchtdorfs talk definetly found a place in my heart. Dresden is actually a city in our mission and it is beautiful. I've only seen it once but the description that he said matches it perfectly.

Well this week has been a very good week. We had exchanges on monday and I was with a very great missionary named Elder Bennitt. This guy is a spiritual giant and is someone who absolutely loves this gospel. It was probably the best exchange I have ever been on. Today we are going to neu Brandenburg for exchanges with the Neu B elders. So unfortunately that means our P day is cut just a little short but I can't wait.

It's been rather challenging to meet with people this week because either our appointments fall out or everyone is just gone. We did however see mentor on thursday. His wife is very very pregnant and is actually due next week so we're going to give them some time to get things settled in with the new baby and everything. They asked for some American names and I told them they should name him Parker. We'll see what happens.

Well that's all I have for today. Sorry it's short but i will write a much longer one next week. I love each and every single one of you.

The Lord is My Shepherd.

'He Is Risen' - 3.28.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.

Hello everybody. I hope you had an amazing Easter. We got lots of
chocolate. Yes. GERMAN CHOCOLATE!!!!!!! We also got this baked cake in
the shape of a lamb which I also believe is a German thing to do. So
we have another stash of goods to munch on.

As far as teaching goes a lot of our investigators have been so busy
recently and so we had a lot of fallen out appointments. We will be
teaching Michael this week again and I cannot wait. We did finally
make contact with matthias (we haven't been able to reach him for a
long time) of our other investigators and today he came to church and
actually recommend one of his friends as well. This week I have
discovered the amazing wonderful power of Sprach studium. (Language
study.) That's something I really haven't been good at is studying in
general but I have learned so much in one week than I have in a month
from not studying. The German language is still very difficult and I
am constantly being corrected by my comp (his German is incredible)
but it's a humbling experience that I need.

Today was so good. We are doing exchanges with the griefswald elders I
am going to be with one of my really good friends Elder Bennit. He and
I are pretty much the same people so we get along really well. But
what we did was go to an ostern fest in Chorin. It was pretty much
this giant medieval fair with games and people dressed up and giant
swords and tons of glorious and delicious food and music it was just a
great afternoon that I will never forget.

Yesterday was absolutely glorious. Naturally it was church but today
was special because we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I
have had Easters before but this time it was the most spiritually
rewarding Easter I have had. Last week the branch president asked me
to give a talk about the resurrection. Well unfortunately because of
genetics and my emotional expressive tendencies I cried during the end
but it was one of my favorite topics to talk about. During my research
I have gained such a stronger testimony about the resurrection. I
think I know one of the reasons why we focus on the resurrection.
There are many accounts in the bible where Jesus warns his apostles of
his eminent death but he also warns them that there WOULD be a
resurrection and he would come again. However seems that every time he
said this they either didn't understand or didn't want to believe it.
Another example is when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the
tomb with spices and oils for their master. They had the opportunity
to see angels and one of them said he is not here (and the most
important) FOR HE IS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID. Well Mary whether it was
because of heartache or confusion told the apostles that someone took
the body. Imaging how happy and joyous hey would have been had they
understood the concept that death will be overcome. We chose and
shouted for joy at this plan and I believe it was because of our
savior who would overcome both spiritual and physical death. He lives
today and he is risen!!!!! To quote one of my favorite hymns "He
lives, he lives who once was dead" I hope each of you had a wonderful
Easter filled with the spirit (and candy.) Something that I would love
to do is hear testimonies or thoughts about the savior. I will write
them all in a book. So please send me whatever your thoughts feelings
or testimonies are of the savior. (Also if you have any really cool
pictures and want to be on my picture wall sen me those as well) I
love you all and God be with you till we meet again.


The Lord Is My Shepherd.

'Elder Thomas is going crazy' - 3.21.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.

Hello everybody. I hope you all are doing well in the land of America. I am doing fantastic in the land of Deutsch.

This week was honestly not very eventful so I apologize up front if this email is a little short but not much happened. As far as what did happen we had a film evening with our branch and we watched Emma Smith: My Story. It was very good and I have developed a new respect for Emma Smith. There are a lot of bad things said about her about how she formed a new church and everything but I still respect her for what she did do. As people in my family know I, as well as many others are related to Parley P pratt. As the members of the church were going through the trials after the Kirtland temple was built she helped Parley realize what was important in his life as well as his dead wifes. It was a moment when i went and realized that if not for her Parley could have gone apostate.

Next week I am giving a talk on the ressurection. I am so very excited for this opportunity mainly because it is on Easter DAY!!!!!!!!!!! One of my main topics is focusing on the Ressurection and not the death. Because as I was studying about this many people are witnessed the Ressurection focused on the death and not the fact that he was risen. The angels told mary he is not here for he is risen but mary went and told the apostles the he is not here part. That's why one of the reasons I think we have Easter. To focus on the Ressurection, the He is Risen, and not the He is not here part of the glorious day.

As far as my topic goes...Elder Thomas stabbed me in the back with a knife.......okay not really. But I did have a dream that he stabbed me in the back with the giant kitchen knife so thats a dream that I hope does not come true. I told him about it and he just laughed and then walked into the kitchen...........

Anyway again I apologize, not very eventfull but I will try to email more next week. I love each and every single one of you and bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. God be With you till we meet again.

The Lord is My Shepeherd.

'One week spirit streak' - 3.14.2016

Liebe Freunde Liebe Familie.

Wow what a absolutely fantastic week.

To begin we had an excellent ZTM. We learned about the life of Jesus Christ because the easter season is at hand, and how we can be more like our savior. Elder Thomas and I did a role play which is always really really......really.....let me tell ya.....really......a thrill....sort of. Anyway role plays are sooooo important but they can be kinda monatoneous and boring sometimes but alas they are necessary.

Wednesday we had a lesson with Frau Hohnke. We talked about the Book of Mormon and she really likes the book and says she feels peace every time she reads in it which is very often. Unfortunately she is a typical old German and doesnt like the idea of change so we invited her to baptism and she again, declined. But our purpose is not only to baptise but to invite others to come unto christ so we will keep teaching her and hopefully a spark will ignite the potential fire within her.

And then the miracle happened. So a little background history of this miracle.

Once upon a time. Elder Thomas and Elder Mayer found a man named mentor who comes from albania. Well they lost contact with him. He used to live in Joachimstahl which is a little dorf not far from Eberswalde but we went there to see if we could find him and we shortly found out that we was transfered. To Eberswalde. Which doesn't make any sense because there are no Auslander Heims here in Eberswalde so we left empty. The day came when we decided to do some finding at another nearby dorf (Welcome to Dorf life) called Biesenthal. We got on the train and Elder Thomas says. I think thats mentor. The train was legitlly about to leave and so being the stupid missionary at the time I said. Well the trains leaving we dont have time. And the train left, Mentor turned, and lo and behold it was him and we missed him. Well sometimes God gives us a waiting trial when we realize that we should have done something that we didn't do. But thank goodness God is a god of second chances. (Yes saskya like the song from veggie tales jonah) It was one day when we were about to go to a member appointment on the bus when Elder Thomas goes. Wait I think I see him. We didn't hesitate this time and i said. Let's go. Well it was mentor and his wife. We got their address and we are know teaching a wonderful young couple from albania. #chiruchisture

Anyway. That wasnt the best part of our week. Today to me was the best part of our week. We met with our friend Michael today even though it was P day. But we decided to sacrifice our time for someone searching for the truth which is far more important than playing ping pong or some other activity. We met with him at 1100 and finished the Plan of Salvation. And then the best part. There was a long moment of silence and all of my companions know (all two of them) that I abosoluetly adore silence. Silence is when the spirit really works to the best of its ability. I took the opportunity to tell our friend the role of his savior Jesus Christ in all of our lives. And then I waited and Elder Thomas waited. We sat there for about thirty seconds just taking in this feeling. Michael, what are you feeling at this moment? He didn't answer and tears started to come to his eyes. And then tears came to my eyes. Fifteen more seconds of just spiritual atmosphere. Michael, what do you think that feeling is? Now I wish I could say that he said, that was the spirit I want to be baptized right now but sometimes the gospel takes small steps in the role of a persons life. He honestly said he couldnt describe the feeling and he didn't know what it was.But thats okay. My dear friends it is amazing to play apart of a persons change in the gospel. It is probably one of the most lasting joys I have ever felt. What michael felt and I can testify because I felt it as well was THE spirit testifying of the truthfulness of this message. He is truly someone looking for happiness and he is finding it piece by piece bit by bit. It was the end of the lesson and we asked him if he would like to say the prayer. Without hesitation he said he would love to say it. Now keep in mind this is a man with no religious background whatsoever. This is someone who had no belief in god and is now beginning a relationship with his heavenly father. The prayer he gave was the most sincere heartfelt simple prayer I have heard. He prayed for the strength he needed through all of the many hardships that he has, he prayed for Elder Thomas and I, he prayed for truth and he meant it. He began to cry again during this humbling submissive prayer. I began to cry as well and I let the tears come. His prayer was finished and I thanked him for letting me hear something that may be very personal to him. Dear Friends and family this Easter Season is here. And with it comes the focus of Jesus Christ and his Resurrection. The video the church has made is a perfect example of the hope we have through Christ. It is through him that we can have new life. And through him is the way I have found my new life. Friends and family I end this email and join the world in a word that has new profound meaning in my life. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!

'BEST P DAY EVAAAAAA!!' - 3.7.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie
Hello everybody. Wow we had an absolutely fantastic week. We had the
opportunity to teach Michael on Tuesday. We taught him the first
lesson and he head a lot of questions. He is so ready for the gospel
and he wants to follow God. It's so amazing seeing him take these
steps and watching conversion at birth. As we taught the lesson and I
began telling the Joseph Smith story there was a special spirit in the
room and I knew he could feel it. It's one of the most rewarding
experiences when you look into an  investigators eyes and you can see
the spirit moving and touching their hearts. Anyway we are meeting him
this week and teaching him the Plan of Salvation.

Today for P Day we went to Berlin with Elder Sterri and Elder Schmidt.
I have to say it was the best P Day I have had on my mission. Every
time I go I fall in love with the people and the city even more. The
history is incredible and I cannot imagine going through what they
went through. That is one of the hardest things on this mission. Some
people here are heartbroken and have been torn through the war and the
trials they experienced. But that also means it is wonderful to see
the power of the atonement at work. It can heal you. I testify that
this power works. I have seen it in my life and I have seen it used to
heal and nourish a broken soul.

As far as things in the district goes. Because of transfers it's been
rough adjusting. This zone is called Zions Camp for a reason. Neu
Brandenburg was white washed (two elders that have never served there)
and before the other missionaries left all of their investigators
tschussed them. (Decided to stop meeting with the missionaries) but
Elder Thomas and I made district goals and we know they will help our
district so much. We received a promise from President that if we have
twenty lessons a week we will see more success. That means any time we
teach doctrine, role plays, street contacting, lessons with members,
etc. that counts as a lesson. I can't wait to see it play out and have
high hopes for our district.

I don't remember if I mentioned this in my last couple of emails but
we have an investigator from Israel. His name is Alex. He can't speak
very good German or English but he is such a great guy. Elder Thomas
and I think he is Catholic and he believes in God and Jesus Christ. We
will have to move slow with him to make sure he understands our
message but that's why we have he ultimate translator...the spirit.

Yesterday we met with Abdu our Muslim friend. Abdu is very dedicated
to his faith and he lives it which I find absolutely fantastic.
Whatever faith you have I think it is very important that we live that
faith. Unfortunately he really likes to debate religion. We began
showing him the bible videos from the beginning. In one of them it
mentions the Holy Ghost and he asked what that was. We explained what
he is and what his role is but he didn't really understand what we
were saying. We then started to continue and he started to debate
about Mary and why she got married and how Jesus Shouldn't be referred
to as the son of God because we are all children of God. Well the
spirit left as contention does that and we didn't have a very good
lesson. But we will still be teaching him.

Spiritual Thought.
On Sunday we had a very good meeting. It was district conference and
the branches in all of the zone came to one church house to meet.
President and his counslers were there. Presidents first counsler gave
a very good talk. He talked about trials and how sometimes trials come
due to consequence of sin but a lot of times they just come. Now I've
asked this question many times in my life when they come. Why? Why me?
Why again? Friends and family these are the wrong questions to ask. In
his talk he said the question we should be asking is "Father, what is
it that you want me to learn?" Heavenly Father doesn't give us trials
but he does give us strength and he helps us change the way we were
and he helps us grow. Because the savior suffered any trial that we
have he knows exactly what we are feeling. He knows what it is like to
be utterly alone. "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?" He said. He
knows how every sickness, disease, disability, handicap, and emotional
pain feels. In order to truly become like our savior we need to go
through our own personal Atonement. The bitter cups we drink do not
even come close to the cup our brother drank. However when we finish
our cups and when we do it willingly we become closer to being like
Jesus Christ.

Well that's all I have for now. Thank you for your emails. I love you
all and God be With you till we meet again.

Elder Riggs

The Lord is My Shepherd!!

Pictures

'The Gospel fills holes' - 2.29.2016

Liebe Freunde, liebe Familie.

Hey everybody. We had an absolutely fantastic week. As far as news
goes we got our transfer calls on Saturday and the verdict is...we are
both staying. Which was expected. Neu Brandenburg elders are both
leaving so that area is getting white washed. One of the griefswald
elders are leaving so we are going to have a very new district. New
changes, new goals, and we are very excited for them. Today for p day
we were going to the zoo but it's a little cold so right now I am
currently kicking elder Thomas's trash at ping pong.

On Tuesday we had exchanges with the zone leaders. They both came down
here so it was a very effective day in Eberswalde. Elder Gibbs and I
found an investigator and elder Thomas and Allen found one as well.
This week we have a pretty busy schedule.

As you already know I absolutely love the people here of Germany but
there's something that I want to develop that I haven't yet. It says
in Moroni 7:48. 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the
Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this
love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his
Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he
shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that
we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.
Amen.
Christlike love is something that takes a lot of time but there is
something that I haven't done yet that I am going to do. It says pray
unto the father with ALL the energy of heart. I want to develop
charity. This is the most important love I think we can have. I want
to truly love as Christ loves.

On Sunday one of the people from our English class decided to come to
church. His name is Michael. (Pronounced meesh I el) he came to
sacrament and we were having fast and testimony meeting. After
sacrament and Sunday school elder Thomas and a member talked to him
while I was practicing the organ for next Sunday. He told Elder Thomas
his story. He told him that he has a hole in his heart that needs to
be filled. He said he is very sad and he doesn't feel like his family
loves him. That's what the gospel is for my friends. It fills every
empty soul with the love of God and here is nothing more powerful than
that. I am so excited to be a tool in gods hands and help fix an empty
soul. There is no better job than that. I've felt happy and joy before
but never before have I felt pure joy. The joy I get when i, through
the spirit help people find their way in the path to the plan of
happiness.

God be with you till we meet again!

The lord is my shepherd!

Elder Riggs

'Signs of Spring'- 2.22.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.

Hello everybody. Things are finally getting warm here. The chill of winter had left and now it's only slightly chilly. It rains a lot but at least it's a lot warmer. Light Jackets, sometimes an umbrella but for now the heavy coats are away for another nine or ten months.

Elder Thomas and I had a pretty decent week. We met with a less active member Schwester Will and she is the sweetest old lady you will probably ever meet in your entire life. She is 89 years old and makes really good food. It is always nice to go over there and leave a nice spiritual thought. The spirit is always in her home and Elder Thomas and I take every chance we can get to feel it. Sometimes discouragement sets in and our spirits feel week so its nice to get that feeling back into our selves.

Thursday was a little rough for us. We went to visit Mario and we went in and immediately we knew something was wrong. He was laying in bed and we could tell he was in a lot of pain. The first thing he said to us when we walked in is he isn't going to get baptized anymore. Well in fact in didn't want to meet anymore as well. We talked to him a little bit more and there are a lot of things going on his life that make it difficult for him to know which direction to go. Our goal was to just listen and to help him through whatever his concerns were. A few weeks ago he received a blessing from Elder Illum and Elder Thomas. (I was on exchange in Greifswald) But I asked him what he had felt as they gave the blessing and what that meant. He said he knew that we work through the power of God. The power of God is real and it has been restored through Joseph Smith. Priesthood power is real. I have gained a stronger testimony of it especially here in Germany. The door is not all the way shut and we told him not to give up. He is still going to be reading in the book of Mormon. There is still a spark he just needs something to ignite it. We will meet with him in the next coming months.

So I was listening to one of my favorite speakers of mine Hank Smith and he gave a very powerful talk on the Book of Mormon. It has changed my entire perspective on the whole Book. Mosiah 18:30 says And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon. Now here is the important part. How beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever. Hank Smith says in his talk that he believes the Book of Mormon isn't named because of the Author. It is named after the place where people came to a knowledge of their Redeemer. It is through this Book that we come and receive a testimony of our Redeemer Jesus Christ. A single Book that has changed my very life and now I have the wonderful opportunity to share it with others and help them receive a knowledge of their Brother Jesus Christ, our savior.

Well that's all I have for now. But I want to leave you my Testimony that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the true chruch. I know Joseph Smith is and was a prophet and he translated the Book of Mormon the most true book on this earth today. Today this Church is led through a living Prophet Thomas S. Monson. It may seem in the worlds perspective out of style or not hip to follow the Prophet but I testify it has benefited me and my family so much in our lives. The words of the Prophets help those who are struggling finding the path readjust their course. This Gospel brings us so much joy and happiness in our lives. Now that doesn't mean our life will be peachy and perfect but it does mean that we can find a way through those hard times and it is through the power of the Atonement. This. Power. Is. Real. I have seen it as well as many others. I am thankful for my knowledge of the savior and my knowledge that we can live with our families forever. God be with you to we meet again!!!!!!!

The Lord Is my Shepherd.

Elder Riggs.

'Persecution, Adversity, Trials, and still not giving in' - 2.15.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.

Hey everybody.

This week as you can tell through the topic was really crazy challenging and difficult. We met with a very interesting lady on the street who told us in broken english to kill ourselves. But we were laughing our heads off right after she left and will always remember this experience. (Ahhh the crazy life of a missionary) Nonetheless from the wise words of Walt Disney. Keep Moving forward.

Nothing is going to stop this work from progressing. The army of god will keep moving and keep geting up.

This week we also had the opportunity to meet with mario. He is a golden. We went over there and were going to teach him the Plan of Salvation but he read the whole pamphlet that we gave him and he absolutely loved it and understood everthing and had no questions at all. So we left with a spiritual thought about the plan of salvation and how we can get perfect bodies. Now Mario has parkinsons and so this was a very spiritual experience for all of us. That is such a hard trial that he has to go through and he has the knowledge that it will all be well in the end. Needless to say tears were shared the spirit was strongly felt and it gave Elder Thomas and I a huge boost to our day.

Well I deeply apologize this email is extremely short. Next week I will write a much grander one. But this is Elder Riggs Signing off.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

More pictures

Pictures of Parker