The end of the RV Duo... (RV = Rankin Vest)

Yep, you know what that means.. Elder Vest is gone. He has been transferred to be an assistant the last 6 weeks of his mission. I was looking forward to being with him till the end but it's okay. We became brothers, we worked hard and we saw miracles. It was a great time. I will get my new companion tomorrow, so I will let y'all know next week all about him.

For this last week, we had some highlights. We went up to El Dorado, Arkansas for an exchange. It was a blast going up there. We helped out with a fair that they had a booth at. We were so inspired that we decided to do one this week here in Monroe. We have a big booth set up! It will be fun to talk to a lot of people, I bet we can find someone awesome to teach from it. I will let you know how all that goes next week. Later in the week, we went done to Winnsboro, LA. We were just all over the place this week. Lots of time on the road..

We finally made it back in the area Thursday and got to see some people. Then all the craziness happened not too far after. Elder Vest started getting calls and found out that he was going to be the new assistant. I am pretty sure we were all shocked. hahaha He left Sunday afternoon, so he said goodbye to a few people. He will be missed for sure, I loved being his comp.

M______ is doing good! Last night we had an awesome lesson together. We broke down Moroni 7 together and it was actually really awesome. As I helped explain each scripture, the spirit touched my heart and mind with what to say. It was all so simple. I think that was one of the biggest reflections of this past week. The Gospel is simple, teaching it doesn't need to be confusing and living it can be simple as we focus on the "small things." I know for me as I come near the end of going home, trying to help a zone, help the area... Living the simple truths of the Gospel help me. We may not always understand why, but that's the faith part. Faith is not a perfect knowledge.

Well, I better get going. We've got dinner tonight, going to the fair and my companion for the night will be Ty McMurray so it should be fun. He's really helped out teaching with me the last couple of days. Have a great week y'all and keep on smiling! God loves you... and so does Elder Rankin! :)

With love and hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

The Smiths

going on exchanges

Tin Man!

Quote from Elder Holland Tattooed  on your leg!?? Really?!

Working our booth at the Fair!

Fair Food

yum!

Wander through fields of joy!

 

Alma and Amulek Life

This last week was a blast, not enough hours in the days we feel like. So many people to see, so much to do and not enough time to do it. We keep pushing through, hitting it hard here.

This last week we had a Zone Conference, it was awesome. It was my first time having to really teach and conduct one so I was kind of nervous but it ended up turning out "purrtty gooouudd." We talked about what motivates us and our investigators. Are we motivated by FEAR? Like when our parents would take away our toys or when King Lamoni's Father was about to be slain by Ammon. Are we motivated by REWARD? Like when someone bribes us with candy or the Children of Israel being promised freedom but then falling back in there old ways. Or are we motivated SOCIALLY? We just should come on a mission because my friends are, or I should join the church because of the people. These are all good starting motives but we need to have "Ice Cream Morals!" Why do we eat Ice Cream? Because we want to, no one is forcing us or bribing us to. We do it because we WANT to do it. How do we get to that point with our daily lives and living the gospel? How do we place that upon others? The key is the spirit. Once we feel the spirit we become like Alma, we "labor without ceasing." Like Matt 5:6, we "hunger and thirst" after it. I have come to that point where I am here on my mission, I labor each day and work hard because I want to. I may have had different motives in my life before, but I now want to live the Gospel because I need it and there is no other greater joy.

We had some "miracles in the minutes" this last week. A member in our ward that goes to ULM pulled up next to us right before we were about to contact some people. So we pulled her out of the car and asked her to knock a few doors with us. Luckily she had some plans cancel so she could help us, but she was a little nervous at first. We prayed really hard to have a powerful experience with her and we did! It wasn't the five doors in front of us, or even the door down the road a little bit, it was a man on the street over that had just recently had a nephew die an hour before and was taking it hard. With the short time we had, we invited the spirit there and were able to help him feel of God's love. He said "I needed this... I know God sent you here." Just a little miracle in our day. She pulled up right at that time, plans cancelled, had to go on the street over but we found where God needed us. Awesome experience for all of us to see the "miracles in the minutes."

M____ is doing well. We met with her a few times this last week. She continues to face opposition going up and then down again. She was able to come to the ward party though and that was awesome experience there. We are praying hard for her each day, I know God will help her.

Another miracle was finding the R____ family. We had received a referral down the road but he wasn't home so we headed down the road. We didn't knock on every door, just those that we felt prompted to. We met a guy that had been through a heart attack, another guy that was higher than a kite, but finally we found the R_____ family. They invited us right in and Elder Vest and I walked in there confident in the spirit. Like the caption, we felt like Alma and Amulek as we taught them together. We were only there a short time, but the spirit was so strong. We testified not only of what they said but also of each other. Telling them that I knew what he said was true because "I've seen him live it, I've seen him pray and I felt the spirit as he spoke." As we have come together as tools in the Lord's hands, we have been able to experience teaching like Alma and Amulek. Hence, the "Alma and Amulek Life."

Last highlight of the week was probably having our investigator C____ come to church! It was so awesome to see her. Church can make an impact on people's lives. We may not realize it as we get into the habit of going but I have come to need the sacrament each week being out here.

Well y'all, keep on smiling and have a great week. "Kick up your knickers sally! See ya later little fellar. Have a God blessed week!"

With love and big hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

 

Zone conference

Ward Party

 

Another week in "Monlove"

We don't have much time this week, so I'll hit the highlights.

P-day was Tuesday so we went over and hit up the Duck Commander and Rebel store. It was fun to see all the Duck Dynasty stuff, I'll have to actually watch some of it when I get home now!

M_____ had a couple speed bumps this week, but is doing better now. She is growing and it's part of her conversion to the Restored Gospel. She went to Stake Conference Saturday and loved it, she said that she felt great after and was happy she went. We continue to pray for her and want to help her progress.

V_____ made it back from Utah! We were able to see her this last week and hear all about her trip. She is doing well and really seeking to find the truth. We talked about God and our relationship with him and how we came to know him. Coming from a Catholic background, a lot of what we share is new with her. But with her willingness and sincerity, I know God can lead her down the right path.

We were at Sonic the other night and found this guy named A______. We contacted him while he was walking past and got to now him a little bit. He shared a lot of experiences with us when we met with him and found out he has had a rough life. We promised him peace through the Book of Mormon and help. I know he can feel that as I have in my own life.

Exchanges with the AP's earlier in the week was a blast. We were able to teach only a few people, but we contacted a few others. It was fun to talk to Elder Beckstrom, still crazy to think if I hadn't gone home I would be going home with him in a couple of weeks. It was a blast though! I also got to go with Elder Davidson in the District serving with us here in the North Area of Monroe. It was my first time leading the area, so I got to test my knowledge a little, but it was fun. We continued to laugh together the whole time and taught a lot of people.

I know it's short but really among all the feeling, I am happy here. Every hour and minute we are going, which keep me on my toes.. but I love it! "Have a Blessed week!" We are hitting it hard here in Monlove, finishing strong and it's the BEST! 

 

With love and hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

 

 

Duck Dynasty headquarters

On our way to do service.

Rockin' the bowties

 

Remember who you are

This last week just flew by, have I really been in Monroe for 3 weeks already?

At the beginning of the week, Elder Vest was really sick so I got to clean the whole house and help him feel better. I was lucky and didn't get sick, but I felt bad for the guy. He didn't feel good at all. Monday night we had to cancel a few things because he was so sick, but we got a member in the ward to come over and help me give him a blessing. The member started the blessing and then said, "in the name of Jesus Christ I command the sickness to leave your body." Right as he said that, Elder Vest hurled out of the chair and threw up all over the floor. The member then looked at me and said, "I didn't expect it to leave in that way." He felt a lot better after, so it was a good story for the books. I cleaned up the mess and after Elder Vest said, "ya know Elder Rankin, I am helping you be a good husband one day. You're going to be a good husband." I am glad he is feeling better now though.

On Tuesday we met a "prophetess." She was this crazy lady and she flipped on Elder Vest and I. We told her that in order to join the church you needed to stop smoking and she got so mad. It was kind of funny because she went from screaming to nice again really fast. So we asked her to take a picture with us with her Book of Mormon. Funny moments in the work...

Wednesday we were in Jonesboro, I got to go on exchanges with Elder Godfrey. He is from Eastern Idaho and is a hoot. We laughed and had a good time together. Jonesboro is tiny, I felt like I was back in Greenville being out in the middle of nowhere. We had a good lesson with this one young mom though. Helped her see that real joy comes from living the gospel, not like temporary joy that comes from substance. Plus, biking around Jonesboro was fun. It felt good for my leg, yes mom... I was being careful. :)

This past weekend Elder Vest and I got to go to MLC, Mission Leadership Council. It was a blast! We all met together, talked about out zones, were taught by president and had a good time together. Thursday evening, when we showed up, Elder Vest and I got to go to downtown Jackson and try to contact some people. We chased an old lady down to her car, taught a lady that was lost and met a man visiting from Meridian, MS. We were learning how to "always invite." No matter the circumstance, we can always invite someone to hear about the Gospel. Walking around the mall, downtown, in Wal-mart.. you name it, we can invite.

M____ is doing so well. We taught her a bunch this last week. Ty has been helping us teach as well and the spirit is felt at each lesson. The last couple times we talked about repentance, baptism, Joseph Smith, The Restoration and then yesterday about the Word of Wisdom. She is going to try and live it for a week to see how it goes. It's like with anything in the gospel. I can tell you and teach you about anything, but it isn't until you pray about it and live it that you can experience it's truth. We are praying for her constantly, she is awesome and working toward baptism. We don't know when yet, but it will come.

One last highlight... We found this couple named T____ and B_____. T_____ has had a rough life, seen a lot of things and now has 4 kids and wants to be a good father. We have been sharing with them about the restored gospel and how it can bless their family and marriage. Tonight we are going to tour them through the church and teach them how this gospel can bless their family specifically. When we first met with them, they shared with us that they have been looking for a church. All the other ones they have gone to are focused on money and worldly status. We shared with them how no one is paid in our church and that we are each there trying to be better people and it doesn't matter what your background is. We are hoping we can see them progress in the future, they are awesome!

Elder Vest and I are doing well, we laugh all the time. It is the best! Monroe="Monlove", we are making every moment count here. Hitting it hard before we have to go home. I hope y'all have a great week, "remember who you are and what God expects you to become".

With love and hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

matching ties.... I made!

hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

prophetess!

Fish I caught the last day in Waveland. Elder Crisp sent me the picture.

miss this guy!