He has arrived in Mississippi!

Mason with President and Sister McDonough

 

Hey y'all!

 

After two flights yesterday and a long day I am finally here! It feels so amazing!

9/30/14

Today we taught sunny and we got her to read the Book of Mormon and have a deeper meaning to it. I feel that it went really well and we are making progress. Today is Tuesday so we get a general authority who comes and speaks for a devotional. His name was Bro. Schwitzer. We learned a lot about the commandments and loving everyone. We can soften peoples heart if we show them love and show them how commandments can bless you!

10/1/14

Sis Smith taught a great lesson today about the Book of Mormon. She related the Book of Mormon to worldly things. Do we treat the Book of Mormon as if it we Mustard in the fridge or a Million Dollars? Something that we search for so diligently and seek to find. Today we had more gym time and Elder Boehme and Smith and I killed at volleyball! I love it! As zone leader we get to greet the new Elders and Sisters and it was so awesome to meet them! They are headed to Vancouver, Canada. Not Calgary Grandpa, haha. Then after we came back to the residency and had a zone prayer and Elder Robinson shared a story that brought the spirit so strong. When his dad was in college he was prompted to go look in the pool outside his apartment. He ignored it three times until the fourth time he finally went to go swimming. As he walked to the pool he saw splashing and he found that there was a 2 year old boy drowning in the pool, he immediately jumped in and saved the boy. We need to learn to recognize the spirit and listen to the spirit. Because we don't know what could happen if we don't

10/2/14

Today was such a long day!! We had 8 hours of in-field orientation where we learned to use members to get referrals and learn the importance of planning. Elder Boehme talk our new investigator Eric for the second time. The spirit was so strong as we taught, that it guided to say things we never thought we could and open scriptures I don't even remember learning. He was having some doubt in his life and I suddenly thought. Teach about when Peter doubted and fell into the water. He knew what we were saying is true. He committed to baptism and to pray and he even said he would try to watch general conference and I talked to him about how great it is to have a Prophet today on the earth. The savior is there to grab is immediately and help us up. We just need to have faith.

10/3/14

Today was our last day to teach all our investigators and have class. Sunny committed to baptism in a month and Eric is still wanting to meet our goals we set for him. He will have new missionaries next week to teach him. But our last lesson was great just getting to talk to him and hear how he feels and I know that he will get baptized. It's crazy to think how fast it's gone by and I've grown so much! I am excited to get our there.

10/4/14

Conference!! This was the first that I get to watch all the sessions live in a row! I was awake for the whole thing. Haha mom probably knows I am bad at this, but I almost lost my badge today. It fell off at lunch and I thought Elder Davis took it but later I found it. Dallin H Oaks gave a great talk and talked about loving one another. Utchdorf's talk was probably my favorite the whole day. "Where or treasure is, or hearts is also." I loved to hear him talk but tonight we started packing and it made me sad that I am leaving my zone.

10/5/14

Today was general conference all day again and a devotional that night by Brother S this Samoan

guy that played for BYU and Green bay and Philadelphi. I can't remember his name but he gave a great talk! I also loved Elder Bednar's talk and how he addressed the world and not just the members. Then after we got to watch the Character of Christ again and it was just as amazing as the first time. Just always remember to look outward, instead of inward more like Christ would. Tonight we finished packing late and the 3 that were leaving the next morning got blessings. I picked our district leader Elder Taylor to give mine. I thought maybe I should tell him some concerns that I have on my mind, but I forgot and he gave such an amazing blessing. Everything that I needed to hear was in the blessing. He even said a line from my patriarchal blessing and I just know that the Holy Ghost is true. The Holy spirit is here to bless all of us in guidance and direction if we are in tune with the spirit. Such a testimony builder.

10/6/14

Woke up at 3:30am for our early flight. My zone even woke up with Elder Boehme, Davis and I to help us with our luggage. I love them and certainly will miss them! We got to the airport at 6 and then finally got through the airport at 7. My bag was a little over 50 pounds and the lady didn't even make me pay extra! What a nice lady! My first time flying was  pretty good. Not too crazy! I met this other Elder that is from Fiji that is coming with us named Elder Nabulivula. He is one of the nicest guys ever and I also made friends with Elder Row from Cali and Elder Quiterez from South Jordan. Elder Beckstrom was also with us and we have been having fun together. We arrived and met Pres and Sis McCdonough. They are so awesome!! We had dinner and a devotional and introduction for us. Then we went to the mission home to stay for the night and played ping pong. Yes, I did beat everyone. haha it was fun to hangout with all the other Elder's and get some good sleep!

I am finally here and having such a great time! I can breathe so well and everything here is so green. Everyone is so friendly and I can't wait to serve. I will be serving in the Hattiesburg area with my trainer Elder Franklin. I heard he is pretty awesome! Well I got to go. But I'm safe, I'm doing well and I am loving it here. I miss you and love you.

Love,

Elder Mason Rankin

 

Mason with Elder Nabulivula

Flight to Mississippi

Early bus ride to the Airport