On Wednesday
we went to the Ward Easter Party. There were a ton of members and
non-members there. Tell everyone there is a BBQ and you will get every
ward member out, it was pretty sweet. It seemed like I was always
talking and listening to everyone, my brain was running in circles.
B____ and H____ came though. So did J____! They all really enjoyed it,
they said. It was great for the ward members to meet them and talk with
them. They were all so nice and helped fellowship them.
J_____
continues to progress as well. We only got to meet with him a couple
times because of our crazy schedule, but he really wants to get
baptized. He is now in 1 Nephi 13. We taught about the Vision of the
Tree of life last time, the meaning behind it and also the Law of
Chastity. He committed to live it and his faith continue to progress
everyday. His prayers are getting so good, I pray he gets baptized! :)
Thursday
was Zone Conference in Hattiesburg. I was so happy to go because I got
to see so many people I knew. Plus, I love being back in Hattiesburg. It
feels like home. We talked a lot about the Atonement and about
Planning. President Olson said some things that were perfect for me.
Sometimes we hold on to guilt or mistakes me made in the past that don't
allow us to move on. When we do this, we are limiting our progression. I
just felt the spirit a lot and I received some revelation about how I
can become better, get rid of any guilt and continue to build the
Waveland area. You should have seen how happy Elder Lesuma was to see
me. He picked me up and said "Daddy is the best!" I have some great
memories with that kid, love him!
Friday and Saturday
all our plans got cancelled so we could go up to Bogalusa to help with
the flood cleanup. We made the news, did some great work and had fun
while doing it all. I did about 4 house cleanups with my crew and one of
the house got stripped to the studs. It is so sad to see some of these
people in these rough situations. It is definitely humbling and reminds
me to count my many blessings. I always feel the spirit when I do
service. I seem to get quieter and think about all the help being done
and about my life. The spirit was there the whole time and I felt calm
as I sweated and broke down all the flooded sheet rock and walls. Also
gave me a testimony of how much good the church does. They gave so much
help and service this weekend. The church is so true!!!
Easter
was yesterday and our conference weekend is coming up. I hope that
everyone spent sometime to pray and remember the sacrifice our Savior
made for us and the blessing it is in our life. The Atonement is truly
real. We can not even begin to comprehend it in this mortal life. I am
humbled to know that he paid the price for me. It motivates me to work
hard and to be better because I owe it all to him. Our Savior truly
lives.
On top of our spirit filled Sunday,
H_____ texted us during church to let us know that she received an
answer to her prayer... She had a dream the night before of getting
baptized and we were both there. She recognized it as an answer to her
prayers and knows it is something that she needs to do. I was so happy
when I read that! I just hope and pray that she can now act upon that
answer and progress towards baptism. We planned on teaching her soon and
hopefully setting her with a baptism date to work toward. So thankful
for the power of prayer!
I hope y'all have a
blessed week, I know I continue to draw closer to my Heavenly Father
every day. The mission is truly a blessing, I am happy to be here. I
wouldn't be here or be the person I am today if it weren't for my Savior
and my family. I am eternally grateful. Love y'all! I'm fixin' to sign
off for now.. Keep on smiling!
Love,
Elder Mason Rankin :)
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| Helping Hands Flood Relief |
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| Rainy Easter Sunday |
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| Easter Egg Hunt |
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| I trained Lesuma then Lesuma trained Schleip |
