From Dad

July 10, 2024 Hermana Rigby, I’m melting it so hot! I hope you are drinking a lot of water and are finding some cool homes to visit! This record heat wave is a beast! Smoke has filled the Cedar valley these past two days from two big fires on Beaver mountain. I tried running this morning and my lungs burned with the smoke. Likely not a good idea. I went to Sportsman’s today and picked you up a couple hunting t-shirts (size medium mens). I ended up not having any medium Second East t-shirts – so sad and am sorry! I will get a package in the mail tomorrow or the next day! Hope transfers go well this week and know you will face any challenge that is thrown your way! I will print the attached photos/quotes for you and include them in your package! You got this! Loved the picture of the recent baptism. Maria makes you look so tall!!! Great photo that just gives me the warm fuzzies! I am super proud of you and Hermana Smith! It is Uncle Bruce’s birthday today. He took gpa and gma Rigby to the temple (cannot believe gma went!). He is serving as the Elders Quorum Secretary and has just moved his “friend” – a 75 year old male ward member – into grandparents basement with him. His friend was getting kicked out of his previous home. Bruce is so kind, but I really am feeling blessed for our family circumstances. Can you imagine having me not be a major part of your life? Can you imagine not having a relationship with your pops? It makes me sad to think about what Bruce is missing – mostly because you make me so happy! We are so lucky to have God’s plan apart of our lives, plans, goals, road maps, etc! I was studying Alma 13-14 this morning where the women and children were being abused, tortured, and killed. Amulek wanted to utilize God’s power to save them, but Alma realized he could not use God’s power because it was not his to use. He was constrained from doing so and directed Amulek to have faith in God’s purposes. Could you imagine seeing that and not being angry with God? The point is – sometimes it is really really hard to understand in the moment. But later we have our eyes opened and even with the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who buried their weapons of war and many perished by the hand of their brethren. We learn that they returned to the God who created them and received their reward in heaven because they stayed true to their covenants and held on to them even though it was terribly hard. Alma 24:18 “Rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives – Rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him – Rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.” It was not just about burying their weapons, they covenanted to serve diligently, avoid sin, and labor abundantly. Sounds like the promises you have made and I REALLY WANT YOU TO KNOW, THAT YOU ARE DOING ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! BELIEVE IT AND DO NOT DOUBT! A few more scriptures that tie into this same area: Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. 19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither month nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through or steal; FORE WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO! D&C 84: 83 For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things. 84 Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself. 85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man. President Nelson said, “The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power. But he does as us to believe.” Don’t let Satan entice you to belive you are not good enough as perfection is not a requirement. In attitude, language capabilities, gospel knowledge, desires, effort, and so on . . . you just keep believing and working hard and your abilities and efforts ARE GOOD ENOUGH! LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS! July 16, 2024 Good morning Hermana! I wanted to share with you a thought about connecting with other Hermanas in your mission – as well as others. It can be difficult to connect, and President Eyring shared a key. When he was giving a talk about Ammon who protected the flocks of King Lamoni, after the King was astonished by Ammon’s power the king looked around and Ammon was not there. He asks his servants where he is "And it came to pass that King Lamoni inquired of his servants saying, where is this man that has such great power?" "And they said unto him, behold he's feeding thy horses." "Now, when King Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariot, he was more astonished because of the faithfulness of Ammon saying, Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man, for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them." President Eyring said, "Isn't that odd? He was called to teach the Doctrine of Salvation, but he was in the stables. Don't you think he should have been praying and fasting and polishing his teaching plan? No, he was in the stables. Never, never underestimate the spiritual value of doing temporal things well for those whom you serve." Then President Eyring adds this, "Be their servants and you will love them and they will feel your love, and more important, they will feel God's love." They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Hope this helps with your relationship building! Find yourself constantly in the stables. Find yourself serving and caring about these sisters and relationships will blossom now and through eternity! Love “Daddy Travis” DAD