Another fast, hot and good week. Continual trials, challenges, successes and smiles :)
We
started this week with exchanges with the Zone Leader's. I got to go to
Bossier with Elder Steffenson. He is a brand new zone leader and I met
him back when I was in Hattiesburg. We had a great day knocking on
doors, teaching some of their investigators, members and less-active
members. My favorite was probably Derryl. He is an older black guy and
he knows a lot about the bible and the scriptures. At first Elder
Steffenson planned to teach him the Plan of Salvation, but as the
discussion went on, we answered questions and helped resolve his
concerns. I wouldn't have been able to teach him if it weren't for the
spirit. I was able to remember scriptures, answer his questions and
testify as I knew that what I was sharing was true. After I finished
sharing a part of my testimony, he shouted 'amen! I agree with
everything you just shared.' Overall, it was a great time and I enjoyed
being with Elder Steffenson.
So Dee... She has
been our main investigator for a couple of weeks now. I just wanted to
give an update! This last Tuesday, Elder Ross and Nelson taught a great
lesson to her and committed her to pray about baptism again on July
25th. The following day, we went back and taught her the law of
chastity. That one is always fun to teach... especially to a teenage
girl :) She committed to live it though! She honestly has been taught
almost all the lessons, just needs to take that step of faith and be
baptized. Just as Peter did when he walked on the water. Thursday it
went downhill.. Elder Ross texted her that morning and she got scared,
talked to her mom and still feels good about her baptism and all that
she is doing. Elder Ross got mad, deleted the text and told Dee that she
had to call me and tell me personally. She knows the truth and it is
just hard to see someone be so close and then not take that step... So I
got a surprise call and we ended up talking/teaching her over the phone
for about an hour because we were way across town. It went well though,
we clarified everything, answered her questions, we were very bold and
testified of what we know to be the truth. So for now, we are giving Dee
time because that is what she asked for. I pray that in the future she
can experience that "prick in the heart" and come to a realization of
what she needs to do. She is really great though, I am happy that I met
her and got to know her regardless. :)
Now that
we were sad with what she had decided, it made it hard to want to go
out in the hot sun and tract. We did it though and were blessed because
of it. We had 30 minutes before our dinner appointment and were
wondering what to do with this extra time. We pulled our low hearts and
decided to tract instead of sitting around. We had time to do one door
by the time we made it to the street. We picked a good looking house and
went for it! We ended up meeting a family that was so nice and invited
us to teach them and they even accepted a Book of Mormon. The Mom's name
is Ticora and she said that she had seen us before and was wondering
when we were going to come through her neighborhood. She loved the
message and we have a return appointment for this Saturday! Hopefully it
goes well! Blessings of being diligent :)
The
last highlight of this week was Andrew's farewell yesterday. It was so
great! In sacrament meeting, Landon (recent convert) spoke on his
conversion story. He talked about Elder Meyer, reading the Book of
Mormon, praying about it and finding that it all made sense. He also had
to tell about when I helped him paint and was so happy to meet me and
learn from me. He said I was just so happy, funny and always smiling.
Made me feel good that I left a good impact on him :) Sis Richards then
spoke about the apostasy and the organization of the original church and
the need for a Restoration. Andrew then spoke about Joseph Smith, the
Restoration and the Book of Mormon. It was great for all the non-member
friends he had there. Just a solid sacrament meeting. Later they had a
big party/open house and it was great as well! Brought me back to when I
was doing all that. Is it crazy to think that was almost a year ago?
Anyways, Andrew is going to be a great missionary! I am so glad I got to
meet him and his awesome family :)
So this is
the last week before transfer, I am pretty sure I am leaving but you
never know with President! If I do end up leaving, I will have a lot of
people to say goodbye to. I have made so many friends in this ward, I
love it! I hope y'all had a good week! Keep looking for missionary
experiences, always thank him and keep on smiling :) Thanks for all the
love and support, as always. The prayers really do help, I appreciate.
The heat here is getting crazy, but we continue to endure. Remember God
loves you and so does Elder Rankin :)
Love,
Elder Mason Rankin :)
