Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Letter 5/5/2015

So a lot has happened this last week! We started out last P-day by shopping around the Boardwalk in Bossier and I got myself some new Haggar pants at the Haggar store! Luckily Sister Campbell works there, they were having a sale and she even gave me a discounted price because she likes me! :) We walked around the Bass Pro Shop, it was huge! It feels like a 2 story Cabela's and it is an outdoors mans dream store!

Later that week, we went on exchanges again. I was with Elder....... and it felt like I was dragging him around all day. He doesn't have too much motivation right now and doesn't want to do anything so I was trying to help him the whole time and talk to him. Overall it was a good exchange, other than tracting for 4 1/2 hours. We didn't have any appointments and some fell through so we spent the majority of the day knocking on doors. A few people were nice and I had a great experience with this lady named Ramona. Ramona goes to Word of God ministries and at first wasn't too open to reading the Book of Mormon, but I ignored what she said, bore my testimony to her, invited the spirit, helped her understand the importance of it to her, related it to her own life and invited her to pray and read about it again. She gladly accepted and we have a return appt this week! Hopefully it goes well with her again :) It was such an awesome experience and the spirit flowed the lesson so well!

Saturday I got the call we were waiting for all week, transfer calls... Elder Meyer is headed to Laurel, MS to be companions with Elder Castrejon. His District Leader is actually Elder Scottie Beckstrom if you remember him from Eagle, ID. He just got put in! For me, I am training and also becoming a District Leader. President started by saying "Elder Rankin, let my start by telling you about YOUR district!" It was crazy to hear and I am excited for the opportunity to serve as a leader and also help another new missionary into the mission. I was sad to see Elder Meyer but it is good for me to continue to grow and continue on my mission journey! :)

All weekend we spent running around saying good-bye to members and getting him all packed-up! Yesterday though, we got our final lesson together. We got a referral from a member in our ward, their neighbor was interested in taking the discussions so we planned on teaching him about the Resto. Dennis Boddie is a older man, he used to have congestive heart failure and almost died a few years ago. He currently is doing a lot better, but still has knee problems and has to always be on a strict diet. At least he gets to live at home though. So the lesson went really well!! The spirit allowed the lesson to become so great, and Dennis really understood what we were saying and believed it as well. I know it is a lot for someone to take in at a time but it didn't even phase him. At the end of the lesson, he committed to read and pray and then I invited him to be baptized. He accepted and is working toward June 13!!! It felt so great to just smile and see that someone has enough faith to say yes. The spirit can work wonders and "teach us all things."

Today I am happy! We sent off everyone early this morning at 6 am. We then went to chick fil a for breakfast as a zone. I am hanging out with Elder Scaife today and Elder Nelson. They are great guys! Later we plan to play some sports and maybe do some shopping! I got my text this morning letting me know that I will be training Elder Ross. I don't know anything yet, I texted a few people at T-point in Jackson so maybe they can tell me a little about him before he gets here. I am excited everyone and grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve a mission. I really have seen the blessing it has been in my own life and how I can be a blessing to others. I am truly thankful for all y'all's support and love. Keep me updated, I love to hear from y'all! I will let y'all know how this next week goes. A new adventure awaits Elder Rankin :) Keep on smiling err'body :) Have a blessed week!

Love,
Elder Mason Rankin

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