Elder Parker DuVall Riggs: 'Transfers. A last goodbye to Elder Thomas'

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.