December 13, 2024- a note from dad

 Once again, it has been a busy week.  Insurance and business license renewals along with marketing updates are devouring my days!  Worked on the car wash floor heat yesterday and rose early to make sure everything was not frozen up.  Now the air compressor has a big leak and yet another item to consume my time.  But that said, I thought of you and I began to snicker!  See, you bring me smiles and happiness!  I drove over to the office and set everything aside to send you a note!

 

Scripture of the day – Matthew 11:28-30

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

I thought this is a perfect scripture for your first Christmas away from home.  Yes, you will feel “heavy laden” over the coming days.  Yes, you will need to “find rest” and peace and strength over the coming days.  The key to survive and enjoy the coming days is to forget yourself and focus on the Christ, and representing Christ in the lives of others who stand in need (every person on life is in need in some way).  From verses 4-5 of the same chapter:

 

Go and shew . . . those things which ye do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

 

Share those things you have heard, those things that you have seen, those things that you have experienced.  Then go and preach the gospel, the “good news” that Christ has come though a lowely manger to bring joy and salvation to ALL THAT BELIEVE and follow him.

 

If you are having a hard time with others, remember what Christ taught the Nephites upon his visit after his resurrection:

“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

 

President Nelson gave us these challenges:

“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. …

“… True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.

“… One of the best ways we can honor the Savior is to become a peacemaker.”

“Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other?”

 

For God to help us, repentance and effort to try and follow Christ is always required.  Alma taught,

“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had … more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”

 

So this is my message to both of us this Christmas season.  I too, am homesick.  Because home is just not home with my little Emma no there.  But, just as I promised you in the past, the most memorable Christmases I have ever had have been those where I was able to focus on the Savior and others.  Remember it is a blessing to NOT have to worry about the commercial sides of Christmas (spending money).  Rather, focus on spending your love, your time, your testimonty, and your light through your beautiful eyes and cheereful smile.  And, focus on helping other “try the firtue of the word of God.”  I promise you that you will find peace and joy this season.

 

As you invite others to come unto the waters of baptism, remind them of these things and that the foundation of the Gospel is found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:

“For, behold, I command all men everywhere to repent. …

“For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

“And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.”

“And you shall fall down and worship the Father in my name.

“… You must repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ.”

“Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost.”

“And now, after … you have received this, you must keep my commandments in all things.”

“Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.

“And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.”

 

This holiday season, remember who you are and let it shine!  What you have given and who you are will open the doors to the truths for others.  Your love, your smiles, your laughs, and your kindness will open the door that allows Christ to enter the lives of others.  EVERY CHANCE YOU GET, share your love for and witness of Jesus Christ.  And then invite others to follow him.  Every chance you get, find ways to serve others through kind acts of service – just as Christ was always serving.  Be the missionary that represents the Good Samaritan, the Samual the Lamanite, the person who possess the Liahona, or the person that helps someone cross their Red Sea on dry ground. 

 

This I promise you, you can make great things happen if you “Be not weary in well-doing. For ye are laying the foundation of a great work and out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” (Doc and Cov 64:33)

 

Merry Christmas Hermana Rigby!  Enjoy the “Hermana” part, for this will be the only Christmas that you will be blessed to carry that name.  Let you light shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your God who is in heaven!  You are filled with goodness and good works.  That is why you make me so happy!

 

Love, Daddy Travis