Monday, November 9, 2015

Letter 11/09/2015 - Listen to the still small voice

Hey everyone! Hope y'all had a drier week then I did. It just kept on raining for a couple days this week. The yard next to our apartment became a river, if that tells you how much it rained. We made the best of it and had a great week.

We had exchanges at the beginning of this week. I first went with Elder Reisner on Monday night and then with Elder Meyer on Tuesday. I always love exchanges because you get to teach with someone different and you both can learn something from each other. Every time it is a good experience.

We got to teach Melissa a few times this week. She is doing really great! Elder Meyer and I started on Tuesday by teaching her about the sacrament and more on the Priesthood because she had some questions from Sunday when she came to church. Later on in the week, we talked about the Word of Wisdom, following the Prophet and being obedient. After talking about the W.o.W, she had a few things that she has to work on but I know with the Lord's help, she can overcome any challenges. So hopefully we can help her with that! Her daughter, Rebeckah, also started sitting in on the lessons. She is 24, was baptized in a baptist church last year and wants to draw closer to God. She is taking it all well and she doesn't want to get baptized right now but maybe in the future. She is praying about it. After a few good lessons this last week, Melissa and Rebeckah both came to Church on Sunday!!! It was awesome!! They liked it a lot and enjoyed the service. Melissa is progressing well, I pray that she makes baptism at the end of this month. I know that she can!

In District meeting, I taught about confidence in the spirit. I really enjoyed talking and studying about this topic. As missionaries and as members, we may struggle in being confident. Whether we are scared to offend someone, or not know what to say or even say the wrong thing. Nephi was a man that stood in confidence because he trusted in the Lord. I know that as we trust in the Lord and keep his commandments, the spirit will be with us. If we have the spirit, we will be confident and we will help others know of God and his love. Don't be scared, pray for opportunities to share your testimony and watch as the Spirit works through you. We cannot do this work without him and the joy that comes from it is greater than anything I have ever felt. Try it, exercise a particle of faith.

So yesterday, Elder Davis and I were finishing up some tracting hours. We were both done for the day, tired and I know I was kind of dragging my feet. We passed by this house with a man raking some leaves, I heard something tell me to stop and help him rake his leaves. I looked around for an extra rake, couldn't find it so I simply waved and passed on by. After no success tracting and trying to contact people, we walked back by the man raking and again we just passed on by and headed to our locked bikes. I heard something tell me "Help him rake his leaves." I told myself again, "there is no rake, plus I doubt he wants my help. He will probably just say no." We got on our bikes and started to head home. Again, we passed the man and I heard the voice again. So I stopped, leaned up my bike against a post and asked the man if I could help him rake his yard. Elder Davis was already biking ahead and had to stop and come back. Then man at first, said "No, I would have to pay you." I persisted more, found a rake I hadn't seen before and helped the man rake his yard. While raking, I started talking to him about who we were, asking him about himself and then asking him about his beliefs. His name is Mike, he is 22, lives with his girlfriend, drives a tractor for a living and is Christian. He told me that he still has faith but he needs to get back into church. I invited him to ours and he was interested in coming. After we finished the yard, we started to talk to him about the Gospel and the Book of Mormon. We now have a return appointment on Tuesday with him and his girlfriend and I am humbled. I know that it is important to listen to the still small voice. Sometimes we may not think it is the spirit, try it and you will find out. If it is successful, you will know it was the right thing to do. Exercise a particle of faith, you will be blessed for it.

Thanks for the love and support. I hope y'all have a good week. Keep on smiling! With Thanksgiving coming up, remember what you are thankful for. Share thanks with those you love, it is a great time of the years. I love this Holiday season. Remember God loves you and so do I! 

Love,
Elder Mason Rankin :) #Gameon

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