This last week was a pretty good one. Our new district is pretty awesome and I am really excited for this New Year. What are your New Years resolution? A couple of mine are to do my best everyday as a missionary and just come closer to my savior, grow my relationship with him. Do you have a relationship with the Savior? I am going to start reading Jesus the Christ finally, so I am excited for that!
So instead of telling about my whole week I will just tell a few of my highlights.
The other day we met this guy named Ivan. Ivan is an older black man that has lived in the worst parts of Chicago, Detroit and LA. He moved back here to Mississippi because he was done with all the crime that was always around him. His last neighborhood had such bad crime that the police wouldn't come inside. He has been shot in a drive-by before, he has been shot 3 times, one bullet they couldn't remove so he still has it. He has been stabbed multiple times in the side and even has a big scar on his head. But this mans faith is so strong. We were able to chat with him about Jesus Christ and the effect he has on each of our lives. This man certainly has had some trials but now all he wants to do is serve his savior. He plans on coming to church with us sometimes and also said he would read the Book of Mormon without us even asking him to. So we will see how that goes! One of my favorite lesson, I can definitely tell that I am getting better and becoming more comfortable with teaching every one of our Heavenly Fathers children. I love it!
New Years was pretty dang fun, we played lots of board games with the other elders, popped some sparkling cider and counted down to the new year. I didn't know what to expect with our new District Leader, Elder Adams, but he isn't bad. He is a pretty cool guy. He is from Utah and plays football, and is just a good kid. Sister Beames also left so now Sis Huston is in my District. Sis Huston is from Boise, ID!! Isn't that cool? She rode on the plane with me and knows a lot of the same people as me. She attended Centennial High School and graduated 2 years ago. She attended BYU for a year and then decided to serve a mission. I will have to get a picture for you momma so you can see what she looks like!
The other highlight of my week was just yesterday. Elder Franklin and I got to teach the young men and it went pretty fun. They got to be investigators and they really threw some curve balls at us and challenged us. They had a good time and so did I. They aren't very many young men so we really can get to know each and every one of them. The leaders are also pretty chill, Bro Britt and Bro Asay. They like me a lot and hope that I stay in the ward for awhile! The other part of the day that was fun was we met a Methodist Pastor and we got to talk about the Book of Mormon and help him understand more about LDS people. He took a Book of Mormon and said he would read it. He also gave us translation of the New Testament that his people use. It was pretty cool to look at, they really take a lot out of the New Testament but it was a good experience to meet him and his wife. They invited us right in and gave us water and just good company. Really nice people and a beautiful home. It was a good experience.
Thank you to everyone for the support that you give to me. I seem to always be lifted right back up off my feet even on the days that I just want to collapse and fall asleep. I appreciate everything that y'all do. I also loved the Calgary Flames shirt that Aunt Audrey got me! I put it right on that night to wear. I love it!! Well I hope y'all have a great week, a great New Year and I want to hear some of y'all's goals this year! Keep on smiling! I love and miss y'all!
Love,
Elder Mason Rankin
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