"Yielding their hearts unto God.."

Happy Halloween y'all! 3rd one on the mission... Kind of crazy! But it shall be awesome! :)This last week was packed full of stuff, I'll hit y'all with the highlights!

Towards of the beginning of the week I got to go on exchanges with Elder Vinson again. He is from Australia. It was awesome to teach with him again and spend sometime together learning from one another. He's a good mate, I like him. My favorite lesson of the day was probably with K____. He is 17 years old and one of the smartest guys I have taught. We talked about the Path of Righteousness with him and the authority to baptize this last week. The spirit could be felt with both visit and what I love is how sincere he is. He want to know, he is yielding his heart to God. I pray his answer to his prayers come soon to know that what we have shared is true!

Later in the week we had an exchange with the AP's so I got to go with good ole Elder Vestosterone. It was a blast to teach together again! My favorite visit from that night was with a less-active family. We showed up, everything was going crazy, baby's screaming, Dad just showed up, Mom has a toothache... just everything was was all over the place. Within 30 minutes, we were down reading from the scriptures, praying and you could feel the spirit within that home. It was peaceful, the parents were listening, the children were quiet and we all left in peace. I loved it. I know that as we take those short moments within the day as a family, we can bring peace together even in the craziness of our lives.

M____ came to church y'all!!!!!! It's been a long time coming, but it was awesome! We didn't believe it was real to we walked out the front doors to see her there with Ty. We just started shouting and dancing for joy. She came!! We have had some awesome visits with her lately and she came to the Halloween party on Wednesday. That was a blast, there were a ton of people there. You can tell a difference in M____ though, she looks so happy and is glowing. Why? Because she is applying the gospel into her life and praying each day. We met with her yesterday and we set a date for her to get baptized on Dec 10th as well! Answers to prayers and miracles all week, it just makes me smile. I know she can make it! :)

Last thing for this week. I studied in Helaman this last week and came to Helaman 3:35. The whole verse is great, but I kept on focusing on the end this last week where it says.. "yielding their hearts unto God." The blessing it states are numerous. From purifying, to firmer faith and joy. We all want joy. I have noticed throughout my life and this short time I have been on my mission, that as we "yield our hearts" to God we receive many blessings and God changes us into better people. I think to the beginning of the mission where I was scared and didn't yield my heart to God. I wanted to hold on to my old self at home and not give it up. Slowly the Lord worked with me through my studies and others.. now I have truly "yielded my heart to God." I can tell such a difference with who I am and what I have become. Even this morning, we were walking through Wal-mart and I was looking for someone we could teach the Gospel too. As we were looking at the fruit, I went up to young lady named K___. She is a student at ULM and wants to meet with us hopefully this weekend after her finals this week. At the beginning of my mission, I would have been terrified to walk up to a random stranger and talk about the Gospel with them. Why was it so easy? Because I yielded my heart to God, put my desires and comfort aside, and just went and talked to her. Just one little miracle I had today. I pray that each of us try to "yield our hearts to God." He will mold you, as he has done with me, into a better person.

Well... their are the highlights of my week! I hope y'all have a God bless! I love ya and miss ya!

See ya later! 

With much love,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

 

Only in the south! on Halloween even!

Ward Halloween party!

handing out candy and church pamphlets during halloween at the zoo!

 

A "New Creature"

This week flew by, I can't even remember all of it but let me hit some highlights that I do remember.

Earlier in the week we went up to Jonesboro to go on exchanges with Elder Godfrey and Nuku. 2 of my favorites brothers. It was a blast to be there with them. Elder Nuku went and hit it hard for the day. Brought back memories of G'ville. It was a blast to be together again and teach some people. We were able to find this solid guy while knockin doors and had a powerful lesson with him about the Book of Mormon. It was perfect. Then Nuku grilled up some BBQ chicken that night and had some good laughs together. It was a good start to the week.

Back in Monroe, we found this lady named S_____  that we are working with. She is preparing to be baptized on Dec 3rd, we are praying she will be ready for that day. Missionaries used to meet with her in the past but she stopped meeting with them because she got sucked into the world. Us meeting her again was a sign that she needed to get right with God. We were able to teach her about the Restoration and she understood it pretty well. She even was supposed to come to church but she didn't... it was kind of a bummer... Hopefully this week we can keep meeting with her and helping her progress.

We also got to meet with the C___ this week. We read some from the Book of Mormon with them and plan on teaching them more about it next time. There are some of the most genuine guys, I love them. They even treated us to some pizza, so they know the quick way to a missionaries heart. :)

Last highlight that I can remember was yesterday. We taught Gospel Principles and then had to help someone move after church. Gospel Principles was on "sacrifice." I love this topic a lot! This last week I was studying in 2 Cor 5 and came across v 17. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." I love this, I feel like this applies to me so much. As we 'sacrifice' our lives to the Lord, we become something 'new.' We are still the same person, just better. Better than we could ever be on our own. We give up our will and submit it to his. I know as I have sacrificed my life to Lord, I have become something 'new.' Someone way better, someone happier... I will never be able to thank the Lord enough for all the growth I have seen in myself. I have meaning in my life and an understanding that can't be found anywhere else. I know that you can have these same feelings, thoughts and change of nature as you do as I have done. Give yourself to the Lord, you will never regret it. Sacrifice is the definition of being a disciple of Christ and member of the Church. I have seen it.

Well I hope y'all have a great week and keep on smiling! God is great, Monroe is good and Elder Rankin is crazy... :)

With love and bunches of hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

 

Re-united on splits with Nuku!

 

 

 

 

Yee-Haw!

 

B-day for Egghead and Teaching with President

This week flew by. "Don't blink", right? It was great though, everyday, every hour we continue to see little blessings and miracles. I will always love serving here in the south, the other day I caught myself saying "I don't want to go home", "I love being a missionary." Such a change from the beginning when I said... "will this ever be over" and "Man, this is going to take forever." Another little miracle.

The week started solid. I went on exchanges with the famous Elder Pierre-Louis! He is from Haiti and wears a beanie all the time from an accident he had as a kid. It was a blast teaching with him and seeing lots of success. My favorite from the day was probably J______. We knocked on her door to see if her mom was home and she came out all flustered. Before she went back inside. I asked if we could make her day better by reading together and praying. As the lesson went on, her frown and stress changed to a smile and a little glow. She was so happy we came by. We hope to teach her and her family to help them experience the same joy our families feel from having the Restored Gospel in our lives.

Wednesday was Elder "Egghead's" Birthday! (a little kid called him that once) It was a blast. We had some pumpkin waffles for breakfast, someone brought cake for lunch and we also found some sweet people at ULM while we were knocking doors. We met C____ and C_____. They are roommates, both recently graduated. Some of the chillest guys ever. They ended up inviting us back for a BBQ later in the week too. So genuine and nice, we hope to find more cool people like them teach as we focus more around the college area and campus.

On Friday night we went out with President Olson and it was a blast. He was in town for interviews, so it ended up working out great. We taught M____, T____ and his aunt D_____. It was a really cool experience. M_____ is progressing a lot, she had read ahead of where we told her to and you could just tell that she was so much happier. The Book of Mormon, prayers and everything is helping her, we can tell the difference in her light. We just keep praying she will come to church, as soon as she gets over that, she will keep progressing. It was just fun being with President, at first I was nervous but it ended up being way fun. T___ and D_____'s lesson was solid. We read from the Book of Mormon together and watched a Mormon message on the Book of Mormon. As I reflected upon my testimony of the Book of Mormon, I am so grateful to have it within my live. I continue to have great experiences with it and learn more from it every time. A keystone to my faith.

Last highlight was yesterday. no specific lesson or meeting. It was just a great day. We learned and discussed about the Good Samaritan together. As we talked, the spirit continued to teach me about love and how it is an action more than saying it. Dad always says "Actions speak louder than words." Those words ring true in everything. From Faith to Love, actions do really show you how someone truly is. The scripture 1 John 3:18 keeps coming to mind as I thought about it... "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." Are we showing the Lord we love him by "word" or by "deed"? Let us follow the example of the Savior in loving others by how we act, not by just what we say.

I thank each of you that write me each week or while I have been out here. This last week, I felt your prayers and love as the stress and days seemed like too much to carry. I hope y'all have a great week and keep on smiling! :)

With love and bunches of hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

Happy Birthday!

Service at the Zoo!

Tiger!

 

Talk to Everyone... Tender moments and mercies

This morning as I was pondering, I thought back to 2 years ago... Walking down streets in Hattiesburg with Elder Franklin. The leaves were falling, football was in the air and I never thought this journey would end. Now as I reflect back, I wish I could go back. I am definitely going to miss this so much.

The first highlight of the week was finding Z_____. We had a referral that he wanted a Book of Mormon, so we went to drop it off. When we got to the house, they said he wasn't there. We walked away wishing he was there, then we looked to our right and saw a man 10 yards away, sitting next to some mailboxes with a 6 pack at his feet. I have been working on talking to everyone lately, with the short time I have left. So we walked over and talked to him. We found out it was Z______! He had just gotten off work and was resting a little bit. He shared with us that he wanted to get rid of Alcohol and to stop smoking. We told him about the programs the church has and he was so happy! We also gave him a Book of Mormon and taught him about it. As we read together, his face seemed to light up. There is power in the Book of Mormon. We are praying to help him change his life, just as the Gospel has changed ours. We will be meeting with him more this next week.

Wednesday was Zone Meeting so we all met here in Monroe. It was a blast to teach there and practice together. I got to pretend being an investigator while members of the zone taught me. I did the whole thing in a southern accent and my name was "Chuck... Chuck Finley." We taught about dependability and teaching simply. At times we get so caught up in teaching, that we forget how simple the gospel is. A little child can understand it. As we do so, we can simplify and then intensify our message with the spirit.

After zone meeting, I got to go to El Dorado with Elder Ross on exchanges!! It was such a blast to be with him and catch up. He has grown a lot and I am proud of him. He is awesome. Within the first 5 minutes being in El Dorado, we had a little miracle. We were dropping off the sisters when I spotted a lady jogging on by. The spirit hit me fast and I immediately acted. I waved her down and talked to her. Her name is M_____ and at first she thought it was super weird but then after some discussion, she was interested in what we had to say and wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon. Blessings of listening to the spirit!

M_____ is doing so good y'all! Thanks for all the prayers that were sent out for her. By a miracle from God, she called us back Friday and we have met with her everyday since. The first time meeting up we just had to pray together and the spirit was instantly there. We are praying that she will come to church here soon. She needs to come in order to help her gain a testimony and receive revelation about what we share with her. We are excited for her and so happy, we know the Lord has a will for her. We just pray she will have the faith to act upon that.

One other cool experience from the week was with a lady named B_____. When we came in, she was flustered and the kids were running everywhere. We came in, invited the spirit there and by the end, all the kids were gathered around listening to us. We shared with them the story of Jesus coming to the Americas with pictures. It was so awesome, B_____'s heart softened as she saw us teach her children. They even all gathered around, holding hands and I taught them all how to pray. It was so cute and such a tender experience. We take for granted the little things sometimes, I am happy I have a mother who taught me and prayed with me.

Last thing for this week.. yes I had a lot I wanted to tell y'all about. I spoke in sacrament this weekend. I spoke on the Plan of Salvation and how the knowledge of the Plan brings us joy in our lives. So, I was told to only prepare to speak for 15 minutes... guess how long I had to speak for? Almost 30 minutes.... The 2 speakers right before me took like 5 minutes.. I know the Lord filled my mouth as I opened it. Somehow I spoke for almost 30 minutes and no one fell asleep, so that was a good sign. I felt the spirit as I spoke, I know that my testimony started with the knowledge of the plan. I am so happy to know that there is more than this life and that I will see my family again. I know that God lives and loves us.

Well y'all, I better get to it. We have lots to do today. Have a blessed one and keep on smiling!

"see ya later little fellar!"

With love and hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

 

Elder Eggiman took this while the kids were all gathered around me. Such a cool moment! :)

Duck Dynasty commander chair

My zone

having fun making ties!  even President got to wear one.

 

Fair, Sermons, MLC and 5th Conference on the mission...

This week was packed!.... We literally were running around every day..

My new companion is Elder Eggimann!!! He is awesome, he is from Pocatello, ID. He loves to do Crossfit, plays piano like a boss, sings pretty well... basically the definition of a ladies man. I am saying this out loud as I type, so of course he is being humble and not saying it's the truth. :) I love him, he is a brother already. We are excited to tear it up here in Monroe. Also with transfers, we have a new addition of Elder Ross in El Dorado!! Holla! I can't wait to go on exchanges with him.

The Fair booth was a success. It gave us a lot of "facetime", we were able to talk to a lot of people. We played minute-to-win-it games with some people to try and attract them to our booth. I played the cup game with a few kids, it was pretty fun! While we were walking around the fair, we even handed out a Book of Mormon to the "fried snickers" lady. It was a blast!

Wednesday night Elder Eggimann and I had a blast preaching at another church's bible study. It was actually kind of fun. It was a smaller church, but it was still fun to talk to them. We spoke on "Christian unity&love" and then ended on the Book of Mormon. It was awesome! Quote Elder Eggimann,"Man.. Elder Rankin.. you went preacher mode on 'em!" Hahaha :) It was funny! We got a ton of "Amen's", "hallelujah's", "Praise the Lord's" throughout the whole thing and even a couple applause's! What a cool mission experience. Only in the south... :)

MLC and Conference was this weekend so we had lots and lots of listening and note taking and meetings. I gained a lot from both of them though. I had some good self-reflection upon dependability and faith. I learned how much joy our faith brings and the principles of action within our faith. We can read, pray and even speak about the Gospel but it isn't until we LIVE it, that we really KNOW it. What a spirit filled weekend. :)

M______ is doing well, she is spending sometime studying on her own for a little while and seeing if all of this is true. So please pray for her today, she really needs it. We care about her a lot and know that the Gospel can help her find eternal joy, as we have found.

This next week we have a Zone meeting and lots of time to find some more people to teach. We are excited to hit it hard... there isn't enough time to waste time. I hope y'all have a great week, keep on acting and being dependable. The Lord has blessed me so much in being here and I love y'all. Keep on smiling! :D

With love and hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)

Mission Leadership Conference

tie making!

found a selfie stick!

swamp land... see any gators?!