Sweet he's home from Alabama-October 11, 2020- October 13, 2022- 17,520 hours, 730 days, 104.2 weeks, 24 months- my whole heart.
Stockton is home. He says yes ma'am, no ma'am, thank you and holds the doors open for me. He smiles, laughs, and asks me to to study scriptures with me. He wakes up at 5:30 AM studies his scriptures, and he exercises. He is home, but I can see his heart is still in Alabama.
When you prayer for your son to serve a mission, don't pray for a specific mission. Pray that he will be assigned to the right mission president and wife. President and Sister Allred and President and Sister Chibota were answers to our prayers.
He bore a powerful testimony in Stake President Romeril's office the night of his return. His younger siblings wiped tears, Rigby and I sat in awe. Our boy had become a man. Watching him take off his missionary badge was a poignant moment. It was hard to be so happy to have him home when I could see it was such a struggle for him.
Now the transition begins. He ebbs and flows from comfort to anxiety trying to figure out this" brave new world." On his first day home, we made the trek to our favorite mountain. While we prepped our campfire dinner, he "went up unto the mountain." Tonight he guided our family in Come Follow Me. He invited us each to share how the words of the scriptures "turned us away from evil" as in Jeremiah. Tears were shed and testimonies bore. He continues to share the missionary spirit wherever he goes.
In so many ways, he is still that little boy who made me do soccer drills with him before kindergarten only now he is taller. The determination, focus, and vision are all still the same, but now he has been molded by the Holy Spirit.
“Now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
(from my facebook post) We welcomed Stockton Rigby home from the Alabama Birmingham Mission on Thursday, October 13, 2022. My heart was literally so full as I anticipated his return, I thought it might burst. There is nothing quite like welcoming a child home. Especially, one who has served with such valor and dedication to the Lord. We counted it a privilege and an honor to sacrifice financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally to have our son serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Stockton witnessed miracles as he put his trust in the Lord and served him with his whole heart, might, mind and strength. We witnessed miracles in our home and tender mercies in the lives of our other children as he served. But above all, we saw the Jesus Christ mold our boy into a man. There truly is no greater work! God lives and Jesus is the Christ.
We love you Stockton! Welcome Home!
I love missionary work. It has blessed the lives of my family for generations. Both mine and Travis' family lines can be traced to the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Stockton's third great grandfather, Thomas X. Smith, joined the church in England on March 13, 1849 at 21 years of age. His parents would not even come to the boat to say goodbye when he left with his new wife Margaret Gurney for America on January 6, 1851. He was essentially disowned for his belief in his new faith. This is just one of many family stories that demonstrate the faith of our ancestors as they embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ and of how missionary work has blessed our lives. I am grateful Stockton had the opportunity too "pay it forward" in Alabama.
Floyd Rigby, East Central States Mission (Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee)
M. Kimball Weaver, Southern Australia Mission
Janet and Kimball Weaver, Glendive, Montana Mission
Travis Rigby, Denmark, Copenhagen Mission
Travis Seleck Rigby, Washington, Yakima mission, Spanish Speaking
Stockton Christopher Rigby, Alabama, Birmingham Mission
"Fam’lies can be together forever
Through Heav’nly Father’s plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can."
Being their mother is my greatest joy.
Thank you for sharing this most special, and beautiful post. It makes my heart so happy. Welcome home Elder Rigby. The Rigby family inspires me each and every day. I love you all.