Elder
Ross and I have been getting up and playing tennis in the mornings when
there is no rain! It has been way fun. It reminds me from back when I
used to play. We are getting better, I still can play alright. I have to
work on my serve a little bit though... :)
Tuesday
we had interviews with President McDonough and it was great to see that
man. Probably one of the most Christ-like men I will ever know. My
District was taught by the Zone Leaders about the Doctrine of Christ.
Reflecting upon each point of it and why we teach it. It all starts with
faith. President and I had a great interview. I was just happy. I
didn't have anything bad to say, or really too many questions like
before. I just kept telling him how happy I was. My companion and I are
getting along great, my district is amazing and I was just so happy with
how everything around me was. I saw no problems with anyone in my
district and I just knew this transfer would be a good one! After my
interview, I had to ask President one last question :) I asked him "if
you could have any condiment come out of your belly button the rest of
your life, what would it be?" He looked at me, chuckled a little and was
just so surprised by the question. After he finished laughing, he told
me that it would be ketchup. We have a ketchup man :)
Later
on in the week, we went to tract in a new area. We found an awesome
middle-class neighborhood with lots of people in it! We were guided by
the spirit as we tracted and were able to find someone to teach. As we
came up to this door, we had no luck so far so we were a little down. We
knocked once and a big black lady came to the door. She opened the door
and just smiled! Her first words were, "Wow, y'all are looking fly!" We
laughed and instantly made a friend. Her name is Monet. She said she
was in a spiritually open time in her life so she would listen to what
we had to say. We answered all of her many questions, gave her a Book of
Mormon and she committed to read a chapter of it before we came back
and checked on her. She was so happy that we gave her one, she treated
it like it was a million bucks! What a great lady! Hopefully it
continues to go well with her. :)
Just an update on Dennis! We met with him Tuesday
and had a great lesson on the Plan of Salvation with him. He really
seemed to understand it and grasp the idea of knowing where he came
from, what he is doing here and where he is going. When I asked him
where he thought he was going after this life, he responded with "I
hopefully will go to a kingdom where God is." I was so shocked that this
man really believed it was a Kingdom, most just say heaven but he
didn't. So it was great when we got to teach him about each of the
kingdoms. Dennis was invited to church but I guess he was busy so
hopefully this next week we can get him to join us, that would be great!
Plus next Monday we are having a crawfish boil at the church, so hopefully he can make it to that as well.
This
last Sunday was another good one. Elder Ross spoke on the Priesthood
and he did a great job. Bro Campbell taught a great Gospel Doctrine
class and we were studying in Luke about the parable of the lost sheep.
Some people may think that the 'lost sheep' are only the people that
haven't been baptized, but really we have lots of lost sheep all around
us. Many member become inactive or less-active and they are our 'lost
sheep' that we need to go help come back, just as Jesus would. for the
value of one is great in the sight of our Heavenly Father. Elder Ross
and I taught the High Priests about the Book of Mormon. They were
investigators and we role played for a little bit. Some of the member
thought it would be funny and try to ask really hard questions but each
time we came back with a great answer and were very bold with them. I
think they were a little shocked by it. Most of them served
missionaries, "way back when", so they were used to memorized
discussions not the lessons that we have today. It's crazy to see how
much it has changed with Preach My Gospel.
My
last highlight of the week was going over to the Elliot's for dinner.
Sariah, their daughter, has decided that I am her 4th favorite
missionary of all time! Elder Ross kept asking her if he was one of her
favorites. She already had 3 top favorites she said, and then she told
him "Elder Rankin is my 4th favorite, but I am going to have to think
about you..." hahaha I was laughing pretty hard, seeing Elder Ross get
shot down a little :) She is a funny little girl, definitely loves her
frozen stuff. The Elliot's are always so nice to us and we had a great
little lesson with them about member missionary work.
I
hope y'all always are trying and looking for missionary opportunities
because there are a lot of "lost sheep" out there and we need to help
them. After all is said and done, one of the most important things we
need to do, is to preach his Gospel. You may be nervous, it may be
awkward, or even a little scary. Don't worry, the Holy Ghost will help
you know what to say as long as you have faith and your just open your
mouth. Think about your favorite aspect of the church or His gospel. How
much joy does that give you to know that? or know the truth of it? Now
since it gives us that joy, don't we desire to share it with everyone?
so they can have that joy as well? Yes! As members of the church, we are
truly blessed to have the fullness of the everlasting gospel. May we
always seek missionary opportunities and live so that the Holy Ghost can
work through us to bless those lost sheep. Thanks y'all for the love
and support! Have a great week, and know Heavenly Father loves you! :)
Love,
Elder Mason Rankin :)
No comments:
Post a Comment