The fruit of our labors

This past week was awesome, there were a lot of highlights and a lot of miracles. We saw a lot of fruit to our labors this past week, it all seems to be falling into place. Here are some highlights:

I started the week going on exchanges with Elder Davis (my old comp). It was a blast to teach together again, we had some good laughs. I had a good workout Monday morning and while kneeling in prayer that night together, I started to cramp so bad. So he went to the fridge and grabbed the huge pickle jar that has been in there for who knows how long. I then drank half of it... It was so gross but it honestly helped it. Reminded me of Jay Ajayi (if that's how you spell it, haha) We did have some good teaching opportunities together. One of our members, Bro Naylor, just took us to see all his non-member friends Tuesday night and had us teach a few of them. It was actually really sweet because we were able to teach a few of them. It was a stellar exchange!

J_____ is doing well again, he met with us a couple times this week. We are going back through the lessons with him because he forgot some of what we taught him but he is still preparing to be baptized in July. Plus he came to church and this is his main focus right now, it is awesome. Just one of the fruits of our labors.

Wednesday we were asked to teach part of Zone training meeting. It was crazy trying to put together a lesson in 15 minutes the morning of because Elder Crisp was still over in Slidell on exchanges. We ended up doing really well though, the whole meeting was great. We focused a lot on the spirit. I think the main thing I learned is that we cannot push the spirit into the hearts of the people we teach, we can only bring it "unto their hearts."

At the soup kitchen on Thursday, a couple of catholic high schools served with us. They were visiting from Tennessee. It was funny to talk with them while eating lunch. They had tons of questions, so we got to clear up some concerns they had about our church and stuff. It was really funny because at the end they told us, "y'all are actually really cool, I don't know why I ever thought mormon's were weird." I just replied with, "Being LDS is the best."

Probably the biggest success we had this week was with the Harvey Family. B______ and C______ were the investigators we found a couple weeks ago and we got to teach them a couple times this week. So far we have taught them the Restoration, half of the Plan and the importance of prayer and reading scriptures each day. Each times, the lessons get better. This last time we were over, we watched part of the bible video where Christ suffers in Gethsemane. After watching that, we discussed how we felt and then sang "I am a Child of God" with them. They didn't know the words so it was left to Elder Crisp and I to lead it all. It brought such a sweet spirit there. After we said the closing prayer, they told us how grateful they are we come, how great they feel when we come and how they can't wait for us to come back. I almost began to cry, God had answered my prayers in finding them. C______ read the whole Book of Mormon stories book already, they even invited their cousin over so she can learn and they all came to church yesterday! It was such a great church service having everyone there together, the ward has just taken them into their arms. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here and meet them. They are preparing to be baptized at the end of July. Birthday baptism. :) We love seeing the fruit of our labors!

The last highlight of the week was this morning. We walked out of our apartment to go email and the sisters came out of nowhere and soaked us with water guns. Elder Crisp ran inside to fill a bucket full of water while I stole one of their guns and started soaking them. We got them so bad with the bucket and me spraying them. We all got wet though, it was funny.

Well y'all, I hope y'all had a good week like me. I continue to see more of God's blessing each week. I am truly blessed in being here. I am happy and I love it. Keep on smiling y'all and have a blessed week. Y'all are awesome! God loves you and so do I! :)

Love,

Elder Mason Rankin

PS: Shout out to Mom for having a birthday! I love you, thanks for teaching me what is right! I couldn't do any of this good without you. :)

 

 

Selfie

Great day at church!