More letters from mom

April 25, 2024 

 Dear Emma,

 Hi sis. It's late, but I wanted to write you a letter. It was fun to hear your voice on the phone. I hope you found some relief in speaking with Jen. As for news from home- We are all well here. Happy, working hard, and praying for you! Madsen has a renewed focus for life, and he is doing great work at Papa Johns. He is also playing on a Spring City Softball team. He is learning much from his interaction with employees. Dad continues to amaze me with all that he handles. Grandma Rigby's cat attacked her hand and she got an infection. I find it somewhat funny even though I shouldn't. Dad listened patiently. The touchless car wash has been having issues, and he was able to fix it. He also has provided great support to Uncle Chris and Aunt Jen as they go to court with Kim Hansen. He completed the decks at the rental, and helped serve the widows in the ward dinner for the young men Activity. He is always on the go, but bears it amazingly. Maleck is running for soph activity chair. He manages his busy schedule of track, and spring basketball and football quite well. Yesterday, he got invisalign so now we are twins. He has a 4.0, and he is delightful company. Stockton has 3 more semesters of school, works extremely hard at the car wash, and he says the funniest things to his baby, Steele. Of course they are somewhat inappropriate. Amanda feels much better. I am so grateful. She is now officially in her 2nd trimester. She continues to work hard and she and Stockton have been called as the Activity Day leaders in their ward. Seleck and Leydi are two weeks away from being parents. Leydi has joined an online business of selling cleaning products. Her mom does the same thing in Peru. Together, Seleck and Leydi started an online platform for Spanish speakers. It focuses on finances and aims to help the Spanish community become educated in money manners. This week has been busy. Monday evening I interviewed a local builder for a freelance piece I am doing for a St. George Magazine, Tuesday Night Maleck and I may campaign posters. It was really quite cute to watch him get excited about it. Last night, I hosted a bridal shower for Jenny Call, and tonight I attended the dance concert of one of my senior students. She is somewhat on the spectrum and begged me to come. I actually really enjoyed the concert. I even took her flowers. She was delighted and so very grateful. I just finished up my rough draft of my freelance piece. I am grateful for the energy and stamina Heavenly Father blesses me with. Tomorrow is Friday- Hallelujah! This weekend I hope to get a nap before I clean up the house and do more laundry- a never ending story... right. Maybe I will even take a walk. Please don't be angry with dad and I as we encourage you to continue your service. We love you so very much. I believe you are fighting the greatest battle of your life right now. Perhaps the words of the prophet Joseph will resonate with you from the 121st section of Doctrine and Covenants. when he cried in anguish, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” (D&C 121:1) Emma, try to be patient and strong. You are constantly in my thoughts, and my prayers for you never cease. Know that I feel your pain and sorrow. I truly do. As grandpa Jake says, "read, pray, and get the folks to church." And for inspiration, Joseph Smith Jr. “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” ― Joseph Smith Jr. What a glorious time to be a missionary Emma I love you to the moon and back and beyond. Make every day count EM, XOXOXOXOX, Mom God Speed! From Sister Grimshaw Hi Emma, I so appreciate your letter’. Missions are hard. And especially at first. There are always big challenges and hurdles to overcome. And problems with roommates and all sorts of things you didn’t expect. The past 6-8 months for me have been one of the most difficult times of my life…..by far!!! I couldn’t even begin to explain what I have experienced. It would be impossible. I do feel like the Lord has allowed me to experience my own form of Gethsemane that there were some days I honestly never thought I had the capacity to survive. And I know I would not have, without His constant help and support. Sending my love and prayers, Sister Grimshaw PS Emma, you are a great girl with a strong soul and testimony. I know that the Lord has a beautiful plan for you also. Your life has just begun….with so many possibilities that lie ahead. Do not be discouraged by the set back days. They come to everyone. Just push ahead and the Lord will lead you along the way. I wish I could be here to hear about all your wonderful experiences when you return, but that may not be possible. I may be on to other work on the other side. Do not be sad for me. I am at total peace with wherever I will be. I’ve always loved you and your family so much. You have treated me like your own family. You have a great family! Always love and cherish your mom and each one of them. They love you so very much! With all my love, Cali Grimshaw April 28, 2024 Good Morning, Before reading further, I need you to answer the following questions- please read with an open heart or don't read at all 1. Why did you decide to serve a mission? 2. Do you believe God loves you? 3. Do you believe in the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ? 4. Do you believe dad and I love you? If you answered yes to the above questions, please continue. I hope you are still reading. Tonight's zoom call will consist of the following participants, me, President Romeril, President Jones, and Dad (dad is out of town, but is planning on finding service to participate). Please say a heartfelt prayer before joining- I will do the same. In fact, I am fasting for you today as is Seleck and Grandma and Grandpa Weaver. Emma this zoom call will require great courage on your part, and it will require 100 percent truthfulness from you. I would like you to begin by thanking all those present for taking the time to help you. and that you realize the sacrifice which it requires from them as well as their families. Emma, I would also like you to consider the great impact that the decision you will make will have on your family, friends and your future posterity. Please keep in mind the great sorrow you felt for Madsen as you attended Hayden Springer's homecoming. Your decision will affect Maleck in the same way. He would like you to finish your mission. I believe you coming home would be a mistake. I believe medication and a transfer will help. Many missionaries struggle a lot longer than 7 weeks, Emma. None of us believe you are a quitter, Emma do you? I believe President Jones will extend the opportunity of an emergency transfer and the opportunity to see a doctor Monday or Tuesday. Emma, you are irrational right now. You are sick of people tell you the same thing, and as you said, you are not yourself. I need you to see beyond all of this, rely on your Heavenly Father and the enabling power of Jesus Christ. Emma there are soooooooo many people praying for you and I firmly believe, Zina, Velma, Ruth, and Lucile are round about you. Please let go of your stubbornness and let us help you tonight. Unfortunately, you are too much like me and you hate to be told what to do. Emma, I did not want you to go on a mission until this summer... remember that? But you insisted. Now you are there Emma, I refuse to let you run off the stage, but in the end this is your choice. Please be open to options. I love you, mom May 5, 2024 Good Morning Hermana Rigby, I hope you have had a better week. I love you Emma! Today is VERY windy- I mean extremely windy. I had to check the vacuums at 7 AM so I thought it would be fun to walk to the wash- bad idea. Tumble weeds and dirt nearly over took me and at moments I felt I was standing still- literally. But I made it. I keep thinking it will rain or snow, but nothing yet. Now I just need to go get the dirt out of my ears and hair-- ha ha. I teach gospel doctrine today, and I absolutely love King Benjamin's sermon to his people as their temple doors are pointed towards the temple. There is so much to be learned from that image- Where are the doors to our own homes pointed- where are our hearts? I am going to open with a story- let's call it the parable of the vacuum- its a cool story. I will share it with you tomorrow. Brother Neish and Brother Bench are going to help me with my lesson. I hope it goes okay. How is your Book of Mormon reading going? Please tell me about it in your letter. Also, please tell me if you received your Mary Kay order, your golf pants, and the small envelope I sent. Thanks! Update from home: Maleck won the election- Hurrah. I am not sure I could have done another year of stud gov. if he didn't. Track ends for Maleck with region in Juab this Wednesday. Madsen- I saw him reading the Book of Mormon on the back deck-- miracle. Stockton and Amanda- They have been busy working on the yard at the rental- it looks fabulous! Seleck and Leydi- Leydi will be induced this Tuesday. Dad and I will go up Tuesday morning. Dad and I actually went out on two dates this week- AMAZING right. Friday afternoon we went to a movie, Saturday Afternoon we went on a hike (well a walk about in the sage brush) and then to dinner with Travis and Amy Holmes. It has been wonderful to spend some much needed time together. Today I am fasting for you. Try to look forward and not back Emma. God Speed, xoxoxox, Mom Emma Rigby Mon, May 6, 9:01 AM Thanks for the updates mom. This week was a lot better. I hope it was better for you as well! So excited for seleck and leydi! And I am so happy you amd dad got amyanne rigby Mon, May 6, 9:46 AM to Emma Love this update- love you! May 12, 2024 Hermana Rigby, Good morning, Tia Emma! I am sitting in my very messy office as I write this- you know how everything always gets shoved here well it has happened again.There is no wind this morning so that is a blessing. In fact, dad says it should reach 70 degrees today. It might finally feel like Spring. Hurrah! All is well here- so here is the weekly update. I took Wednesday and Thursday off, so we could be with Seleck and Leydi. Wednesday we traveled to SLC. We met Leyd and Seleck at Thanksgiving point. For years I have wanted to go to the Tulip Festival. It was amazing. But most beautiful of all was the Light of the world garden with statues of Christ depicting moments from his life's ministry. Emma, it was so incredible and absolutely filled with the spirit! Seleck and Leydi went to the hospital at 7 ihat evening. We stayed at their house and by 9 AM the next morning we arrived at the hospital. At 11:05 Bella (Beya) Grace Rigby entered the world. 5 pounds 12 ounces, 19 inches long- she is perfect. They let me be there when she was born- I captured her entrance on camera(tastefully of course). She is such a sweet quiet baby. We spent most of the day there. Dad drove to Juab and watched Maleck run and then brought Maleck to meet Bella. We headed home at 8 pm. Seleck and Leydi stayed in the hospital another day and then brought Bella home on Friday. I plan on going back up the week Monday I get out of school. Stockton and Amanda- Stockton went bear hunting again- no bear but he chased it into a cave- scary if you ask me. Amanda spent some time with her sisters this weekend. Finally, she is feeling better. Madsen- working a lot, making a lot of messes, playing softball, hanging out with Trevor. He almost took a girl out last week. Maleck- Finished track with PR's in the 100 and 200 meters. He and Ty went to the temple with me Friday after school. It was fun to do baptisms with him. They are such great kids. He is sooo ready for school to be over. Yesterday he helped us woop the yard and garage into shape. Now everything is lovely and clean. Hallelujah! Dad- I am trying to convince him that he needs to not work so much. We have been spending a lot of time together. It has been so much fun. Yesterday morning we went to the temple to do sealings and then we grabbed some breakfast. We spent the day cleaning up the yard, decks, garage, and planting flowers. I have soooo much grading to do. So, I am getting an early start. I love you Em and I am so grateful you are my daughter. Being your mom is such a blessing. Win the Day! xoxoxoxox Mom, Read Mosiah 7- It was my favorite this week!- Verse 33 was FIRE! May 18, 2024 I made it to the temple this week- Huzzah! And as always I put your name on the prayer roll. This past week, I have been buttoning up grades and counting down the days until school is out. Yep, I am ready! I have been trying to walk an hour a day- go me! Maleck is ready for school to be over too- he has worked hard for his 4.0. I am super proud of home. He is loving football and enjoying basketball. He eats a a lot and moans a lot, but he is a typical 15 year old. Madsen is not happy doing the papa John’s gig, but he doesn’t know quite what else to do. We went on a long walk, and I told him he knows what I think, and I followed that up with what are your spiritual goals? He said he wants to get married in the temple. I told him he should be preparing now. I wish he could catch the vision. I haven’t seen much of Stockton and Amanda this week. They keep busy, and we have been busy. Maybe when summer comes… I hope. I have been enjoying pics of Bella sent daily. Leydi is feeling better and seems to be adjusting okay. Seleck loves his little girl. I will go up on the 27th for a few days. I told dad he needs to quit living life by his list of “to do’s” and live life more fully. I hope he heard me. I teach gospel doctrine tomorrow. I have really fallen in love with the story of Abinadi. What a prophet he was. And I never really understood the chronology of Mosiah before. I am trying to wrap my head around it🤩. I love you! I am so proud of you for serving a mission. Thank you for your example and hard work. I k ow some days are harder than others! But just remember tha Abinadi only had one convert- Alma- and he converted hundreds and without Alma there would not be nothing after the book of mosiah in the Book of Mormon - it only takes one convert Emma. And that one convert may just me YOU! Love you Emma! PS- a car just ran into our house and scared me half to death and now I don’t know where it is🤩🤩🤩🤪 May 26, 2024 Hi Hermana, School is out, and this year I was ready more than ever before. Whoa between a wedding, opening of the restaurant, a missionary, and a new baby(all great things- combined with teaching a new class) I have been a little overwhelmed. The last days of school were crazy as usual. We had the senior ball in the second east parking lot and stud gov bought all seniors ice cream. DJ Boogeyman was there so it was awesome! I am actually sitting in the airport in cedar city right now awaiting departure to SLC where I will spend Monday- Thursday snuggling Bella and hanging out with seleck and leydi. 🩷🩷🩷 Raegahn moved out this morning and Stockton and Amanda are moving in tomorrow. Stockton got a beat last week- it was cool! Madsen is working a lot- but seems to be pretty stable. He and dad went golfing last week. We are really trying to live and not be check list people. Maleck is thrilled that school is over and begins b-ball this week with summer games on Friday and Saturday. Dad and I are enjoying more time together which has been really nice! Love him so much! Lily face timed me with a spiritual thought. It was so good to see her, and her spiritual message was just what I needed. Dream gave the report on her service mission today, and she will begin working at the jail as a corrections officer at the jail after she goes to a 3 month academy in Provo. Japrix asked about you. She was hoping you could call her tomorrow after all she is your BIG sister. I made bread and cookies before I left, did laundry and emptied and filled the dishwasher before leaving- I also went grocery shopping- hopefully they will survive and the house won’t be too dirty when I get home. I love you Emma. I excited to visit with your tomorrow. Maybe we can do a zoom call so we can all chat together? Keep up the great work and Happy Sabbath! Xo, mom May 29, 2024 “Don’t let disappointment get in the way of believing BIG” - Grace Freeman I heard this tonight and I thought you needed to hear it to…. My thoughts and prayers are with you- stay out of the ant pile😘😘😘 I love you! Xo, mom June 2, 2024 Hermana Rigby, Hey sis- here’s the news I loved flying to Salt Lake last week- the flight was only 35 minutes long- so awesome. Spending time with Leydi, seleck, and Bella was so sweet and healing. Nothing like snuggling a newborn after a hard year of teaching(for whatever reason it was the hardest for me by far🤩). Watching seleck and leydi as parents was very very special. They are just so tender with Bella. I was able to share a few tips and tricks with them and get Leydi out of the house a bit. I sent them on a date and watched Bella so leydi could get her haircut. I am very grateful I was able to go🩷dad drove up Thursday night and spent the evening snuggling Bella. He is a cute grandpa. We drove home Thursday morning and made it back for malecks b-ball game at 11. In total he had 6 basketball games this weekend. He is really improving! Madsen has had a rough week. He just can’t seem to find a new GM for the cedar store. It is taking its toll on him. We went for a walk and he told me he is praying and reading his scriptures more and that he knows God is the best source to turn to. Today he went to church- hurrah! Stockton and Amanda came to one of malecks games so I was able to visit with them for a bit. They are al settled in upstairs and seem to be enjoying it. Stockton has a rough summer class load and Amanda is working full time. Dad continues to be everyone’s superhero! I am hoping he will remember that that it’s more important to make a LIFE than it is a living! He was s becoming more tender and loving as he ages, but unfortunately still has so many burdens to bear. I am looking forward to going back to the gym this week. I am trying the keto diet- I can only eat meat, eggs, cheese, vegetables, yogurt and berries. No sugar, carbs, fruit, juice, etc- it’s HARD. I am also going back to the gym and I want to walk an hour a day. Say a prayer for me🙏🏻 This week my focus is to get the house in ship shape- crossing my fingers maleck will help🤞 I can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow about your week, sister smith and Bell One- Happy sabbath sis! Love you SOOOOOOOOOO much! Xo God speed, Mom May 26, 2024 Hey team Jesus! I just graduated again! I hope you are all well in your corner of the world. I love hearing from you and about your growth as a missionary! Please drop me a note when you have time! Myka gave a killer mission report last week. She continues to be amazing! It was fun to see her! Believe it or not but I am a grandma now. I am actually on a plane rn to SLC to hold little Bella Grace rigby - can’t wait! The rest of the summer will be spent chasing maleck from football to basketball! I am so proud of each of you. You taught me so much! Thanks for testifying of Jesus Christ in your neck of the woods. God Speed, Xo, Amy June 8, 2024 Hi Em, Here is a wrap up of the week Monday and Tuesday- I watched maleck play basketball in mesquite. He did a great job and improved so much. Tuesday night maleck and I literally go home at 9 pm and then got it in the truck with madsen and dad and headed to our Washington papa John’s and cleaned it- ALL night- we got home at 4 am- you are so glad u missed this one🤩 Wednesday- slept in until 11 AM- caught up on work-some house cleaning and grocery shopping. Thursday- did a few honey do’s for dad, a little blogging and then went to Hurricane watch Maleck play football- 7 on 7. He did really well! Friday- did some more cleaning and then spent the afternoon watching Maleck play basketball in enterprise- he got some good JV time. He looks good. Saturday- today- Maleck played at 10 and 11 in enterprise today- he was asked to play varsity. He was nervous but did great. Not a lot of playing time, but enough. I got home in time for a nap(either I have allergies, or I am getting a cold) I went to the temple with Jocelyn Arnold - she received her endowment- it was so cool. Remind me to share my tender mercy story. Anyways, saw sister Heath at the temple- she sends her love. Danielle Grimshaw was also receiving her endowment- she says hello. I also bumped into Mikey Bridges - he also says hello! Now we are home and in bed watching Matlock- love this show. I just took some cold medicine- I have a stuffy nose. So it’s been a busy week, but a good one. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures- go Team Jesus! I love you! I am so proud to be your mama Xoxoxxo, god Speed Mom June 15, 2024 Hey sis, Hermana Rigby here, the older one🤩🤩🤩. Here is the weekly up date Monday- I got maleck off to UVU with the b-ball team, went to the gym, cleaned the house ALL day long, and I didn’t even get the upstairs and downstairs, but the pantry is sparkling organized just like you like it🩷 Tuesday-went to the gym, did grocery shopping, laundry etc. Wednesday - traveled to UVU to watch maleck play b-ball. He played JV- did well, spent the night at seleck and Leydi’s- Bella is getting sooo big. Thursday- watched more ball games at UVU, took maleck and a few of his buddies th Provo to meet the football team. I took them to a movie- the watchers- horror/thriller- weird😜. I went back to seleck and Leydi’s. Bella had a rough night so I took her because they left at 3 AM for the airport. Friday- spent the day with Bella. Tummy time, playtime, read books, sat on the front porch, cuddled her🩷🩷🩷and watched a few movies Saturday- 2 AM Seleck and Leydi returned from Denver(they went there to renew Leydi’s passport) I picked Maleck up at 8 AM in Provo. Arrived home at 11:30- took a LONG nap, Prepped for Father’s Day, baked cookies for my gospel Doctrine lesson- bought 40 Books of Mormon for my class- I will explain Monday…. Typed a letter for my favorite child, BFF, - YOU! We are all well here- maleck played a little varsity basketball time and he scored a touchdown at the football 7 on 7 tournament- he is soooo tired. Madsen and dad went fishing today and hung out while I was gone, Stockton and Amanda went to Wyoming for a wedding. Seleck, Leydi, and Bella doing great! I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures and successes. I have been thinking about our phone conversation with Jen. be careful not to label things. I know you k ow you are enough- self doubt is a whole different story, and we all suffer from it. I don’t think you have ADD. I do think your learning style is different- slow to process, so you have to work extra hard, and it makes auditory learning difficult. It helps to take notes when someone is speaking to you. It might help to take a notebook and when you hear new words in Spanish write them down and then review them daily this will help you retain and build on the language. I am so proud of you. I know what you are doing is HARD, but it is refining you Emma, and it is preparing you Emma. enjoy the sabbath summer sunshine. Talk to you Monday .GOD speed em Xoxoxoxox, Mom🤪😘😘😘😘😘😘