Try to stay dry out there

This week was wetter than most. It literally has been raining non-stop, plus it's cold. People think we are crazy going out in this weather, but we just keep on going. Earlier in the week it was late one night and all our plans fell through. So we decided to knock doors for the last 2 hours of our night because we really have been praying to find a family. It was pouring rain and still no one let us in. It was actually kind of funny because one guy said "try to stay dry out there" as he slammed the door in our face. We did find this one really nice spanish lady though. She said she would feed us whenever and knew one of our member families. So that was one success of that cold night.

Update on M_____. She no longer is progressing toward baptism, which is sad with how much we have worked with her and prayed for her. She just doesn't have the faith right now to make the commitment to baptism. One day I know she will though.

E____ is doing was awesome though! He came to the baptism of a members son this last weekend and loved it. He kept telling us how he wants to be baptized, so we are working towards that right now. We just want to teaching his family as well and make sure he is supported at home as well. We also got to watch the Christmas Devotional with him and the Jones' yesterday. It was awesome to hear the words they shared. I love this time of the year.

We also had a stellar lesson with this girl named K____ this last week. We found her a couple weeks ago but haven't been able to meet up because she has been sick. We met up with her though and talked about the Restoration. It really applied to her because she is confused and is really trying to find the path God wants her to take. So, the life of Joseph Smith really spoke to here. We invited her to be baptized at the end of our discussion and she accepted to work towards Feb 11th if she came to know that what we have taught is true. Such a cool experience! I know I will be home but we are all working together to help Heavenly Father's children.

Cool finding story... We were knocking apartment near the church (another late wet night with faith to find someone) and we were really hoping to find someone to teach. After a few doors, we came to a door of a young girl named Shelby. She is 21 and goes to ULM. As we got to talking, we introduced ourselves and told her we were both from Idaho. She thought that was pretty cool because she used to live in MERIDIAN! I was like, "What the?" and freaking out on her front step. Then I asked when she lived there, where she lived, where did she got to school... She literally lived right north of our house near Prospect Elementary, went to school at Rocky Mountain for Freshman and Sophmore year (same years I was there) and moved away after those two years! So you can imagine it was a cool experience, she thought I was pretty funny. We got to share a little with her before she had to get back to studying for finals, but we are going back this week to teach her more! So excited!

Last highlight of the week... Yesterday was my final fast Sunday in the mission so I had to bear my testimony. On top of all that, Nate Hughes showed up to surprise me and spend sometime with me before I go home! It was such an awesome surprise! :) I do feel good though, looking back on how grateful I am for my mission. I want to continue to grow even after I go home and I plan to. My emotions may be up and down with the whole thought of going home, leaving the south, the end of the Idahomiez and taking off the nametag.. but I am happy and excited for this last week to hit it hard. Thanks again for all the support that last 2+years. I will see y'all soon. Have a blessed week!

With love and big hugs,

Elder Mason Rankin :)