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!!
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