Called to Serve

28 July 2016

Onward and Upward Forever!

There was no way I was standing on that escalator,
so instead I just ran down the escalator!

Well, it happened. I am home!! And right now it is 5 am in Utah which makes it 12 in England! I cannot sleep, even though I have slept maybe 5 hours of the last 48.... so I decided to write and say how much I miss my mission already!!! Taking off that badge was so painful, and as I sat in the stake president's office with my family, I just cried. Don't waste one second of your time there because just like that it is all over. I am still in shock.

Let's start at the departing dinner. How beautiful that evening was as we enjoyed a nice meal prepared by the beautiful Sister Stevens, and afterward we all sat in their living room and had the opportunity to ask them questions about the future and share our testimonies. It was such a special experience, but at this point, it still didn't feel real.

Just following, we walked over to the Hyde Park Chapel to take a group photo, and for 5 of the missionaries to go and see their family for the first time in 18 months to 2 years. The five of them went downstairs and the rest of us followed, and when I stepped into that room I immediately began to cry seeing everyone with their families. That was such a surreal moment! I finally got it together and all 14 of us sang a song for everyone that Sister Wai had put together, a medley of "Each life that touches ours for good," and "Sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman". The words were changed to talk about us finishing our missions here in London. That was such a powerful moment. At the end, I just lost it and began to sob uncontrollably. I couldn't finish singing the song because l was just crying. I couldn't believe it was actually here! Well, I gave Sister Williams a long hug and we both just cried, met Sister Mussmans parents and Elder Packer's mum, all the while Elder Williams and President were all trying to usher the 5 of us out who were going to the hotel because we were running late. This part I wasn't expecting... I walked up through the visitors center and out the door one last time. I hugged President and Sister Stevens one last time. And I just cried! And pretty much the whole 30 minutes to the hotel I couldn't get it together! I felt a piece of my heart was being ripped right out of my chest.

Well, we made it to the hotel at like 1130, didn't get much sleep because the bed sucked, then woke up at 6 to go to the airport, sister Wai had to leave earlier to catch her flight, so for the first time in 18 months I was completely alone.... With an Elder. Haha Elder Crawley was my seat buddy! He was way cool so it was good:)

Travel all day was long, but not too bad... And before I knew it I felt the plane land in Utah and I saw once again the beautiful Utah mountains that I love so much.

We got off the plane, and as we walked down to baggage claim, I just cried the whole time. It didn't feel real that I actually was going to be seeing my family in a few short minutes! I will never forget running down those stairs to see my mum and dad and my 3 brothers, who are SOO different than when I left, to give them a big hug. It's as wonderful and great as you dream about! My mom kept looking at me and saying, "I can't believe it is you!" We all just cried. It felt so natural to be with all of them again! Just like I remembered, my days I love my family!!!!!!!

After that, we went to see my cute gramps who is not well, and then to the Stake President to be released. The whole 30 minutes sitting in there with my family, as he asked me to share an experience from my mission and some things I learned, I just cried. He read the letter to release me, and I cried even harder. I can't believe it's over, now just memories.

My mission means the absolute world to me. I cannot imagine being a wife and a mother raising kids in this world without the many things I learned and experiences I had while in England. I will forever be changed because I chose to serve the Lord for 18 months! That was hands down the best decision I have ever made. I love my Saviour even more now! I will forever follow in His footsteps.

ONWARD AND UPWARD FOREVER!!!

Sister Sara Ranck

Elder and Sister Gale from the mission office. They are amazing!!!

Elder and Sister Williams from the office! They are two of my favourite people in this world!

My best friend Kalli Suesue Williardson! It was so amazing to see her again!

Thomas's Selfie the first time I hug him...! My brothers a goof!

Before he even gave me a hug Thomas was taking selfies to capture this epic moment!

Check out these creepy masks... I died when I saw them...!

This is Elder Crawley, the Elder I traveled home with!

18 July 2016

The temple reminds me of the reality of God's plan

The London England Temple

Well, this is it..... It is officially the last week of my service as a full-time missionary. Next Monday I have my final interview with President Stevens, Tuesday we have the departing dinner, then Wednesday I fly home. It is very surreal being in this moment right now. It comes too fast. I don't think it will really hit me until I am alone on the plane ride home.

We had the privilege of going to the temple on Saturday, Brother and Sister Stevenson from Ilford ward drove us. So on Saturday morning we woke up, took the train to Ilford, and I had the opportunity to see Toba and Dee, two of my recent converts from Ilford one last time! Ah I love them so much. I also got to see Sister Epicoco one last time this week.... I LOVE THAT GIRL! So much with my whole heart and soul. You make some of your best friends on your mission, from all over the world!

Look closely...

The temple was so beautiful. It brought everything full circle and reminded me of the reality of God's plan. We teach it all of the time, but sometimes you forget how beautiful and real it all is! I am so grateful for God's plan for us. As I sat in the temple and reflected on my mission, my heart was just full of gratitude.

The people I have met have changed my life. Leaving home and my family was hard, but leaving the people I love here is harder because I don't know when I will ever see them again.

Living in England for the last 18 months has been amazing. I don't even know how to put into words what it means to me. All I can say is that I know, without any doubt in my mind that it is all true. That God is real. He weeps when we weep and rejoices when we rejoice. He is completely merciful and forgiving. How grateful I am to be a member of His restored church so we can have this wonderful knowledge. My heart is full of gratitude.

See you all in a few days!

ONWARD AND UPWARD FOREVER.

Sister Sara Ranck

My friends Dee and Toba.

Vikki and Phil A from Gillingham

Brother and Sister Stevensen are some of the greatest members I have met! I love them:)

Our best friends.

Clayton, a recent convert from Gillingham.

11 July 2016

I love serving my Savior and representing him each and every day.

Sister Mathews and Sister Searle! Two powerful Sisters right here!

This week was grrrreat! My companion is wonderful. We have some really wonderful people we are working with and I just love love LOVE being a missionary and teaching people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!! There is no greater calling:) I got to have an exchange with my girl Sister Mathews! My days I love her. I said goodbye to her and that was really sad. I can't believe it!!!!

My favourite thing to teach is the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a few great lessons where we taught the whole of the restoration and the Spirit is always so powerful in these moments! I love testifying of the Prophet Joseph Smith! And I love the moment where it finally clicks in their head and the Spirit testifies to their heart! One of our friends, Augustine.... He said the most powerful prayer I have ever heard after that lesson. When Africans pray they are really talking with God! It is amazing. Then our other friend Archie... That was an intense lesson and we were so bold. He came to church and that night we taught him... And he said that he believes that the things we taught him are all true. But he even said, straight up, "I am content with where I am at and I don't want to change." And he totally understood about what he is missing out on...... Sometimes I just don't understand! That was really sad, but nothing more we can do except pray for him!!!

This week we had zone meeting on Friday, and Sister Jo and I gave a training on the sacrament. The hardest part about missionary work is helping our friends come to church. Everyone works, plays football, is with family, likes to sleep, etc etc etc and coming to church is such a challenge for people! So we have been praying and fasting about what more we can do to help them come to church. It was amazing to see and feel inspiration as we studied this, and I really feel strongly that we need to help the missionaries and our friends understand WHY we go to church! AKA understand more about the sacrament! So that was what our training was focused on and it was super powerful! I learned so much and I am so grateful for my Savior, for the chance to recommit every single week!

Our Friend Rita from Italy!!
She will be baptised in August.

I gave another departing testimony at zone meeting.... I can't believe it. Next week will be my last week to email. This Saturday we are going to the temple:) I cannot wait to go! I will also get to see Dee and Toba, my recent converts/best friends from Ilford:) I am SOO excited!!

I love serving my Savior and representing him each and every day.

ONWARD AND UPWARD.

Sister Sara Ranck