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 :)
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| Zone conference |
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| Ward Party |
He's doing so awesome!
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