The minute I began giving God my heart and my mind, he started to change me.

We discovered that there are blackberries
everywhere in England that you can eat

I LOVE ENGLAND. We have discovered that there are black berry bushes all around that you can actually eat off of, and that is now one of my favorite things!!!!!!! Also, there are sunflowers everywhere as well, and you all know how much I love sunflowers! It's those little things that truly make my day:)

Not even to mention all of the many miracles we see every day!!!! Like yesterday after our dinner appointment we had like 3 hours with no appointments, but we had a ton of former investigators that we wanted to try to stop by, so we made our way out there to where they lived and of course, not one of them was home. So we prayed to find the reason we were out there and goodness God truly knows his people. We were walking by this house at the exact moment that this lady was coming out, so of course we started talking with her and I asked her what the best part of her day was, and she said that there was nothing. She then returned the question, and I told her that I went to church today and I loved it! Then she was asking us all these questions about church because she said that every church she has been to around here, they are too dark and depressing and she never feels uplifted. Well we told her that our church is much different, and she totally wants to come this Sunday! Ah she is great. Super stoked for her!

This week we had exchanges and I was with Sister Grant, she is from Finland and is the most sweet missionary everrrr. We had an appointment with that father and daughter that came to church and that was a crazy experience.... Satan definitely did everything he could to disrupt the Spirit. GOODNESS I HATE HIM.

So we get there and knock on the door, and the daughter answers and opens the door a crack and says, "sorry my dad was supposed to tell you but my mom doesn't want me talking to you guys so I can't be a part of your church." ................... Stop................... Well her dad finally came to the door and he let us in. She just went into the kitchen and put her earplugs in and ignored us. We talked with the dad for awhile, and he said he liked church just didn't like how we didn't use the bible... Well no worries because we quickly overcame that concern!!!! Well despite the dads efforts to come in

and listen, his daughter finally also came in, but still blasted music in her ears. So that was sad. But we still taught the dad and that went pretty well! I mean I felt the Spirit... So he must have too. 

We were getting to the best part of the lesson.... The first vision. I was quoting the first vision and right when I was in the middle, the door opened and his wife came in. Hah seriously? She was a little shocked that we were sitting in her house.....  And then his son kept coming down and it was just crazy! Well, we finished off with both the father and his wife committing to read the Book of Mormon! Ha so all ended well...... So far. 

A super fun Family Home Evening

My biggest pet peeve is when we are talking to someone and they tell us that the bible is all we need and everything we need to know is in the bible. Wow. So basically you are telling me that you are limiting when God can and cannot speak to his children by saying that people don't still receive revelation. Ugh ha I wish sometimes that everyone could just understand so they could enjoy the great blessings that we have as members of this church and followers of Christ.

I have been reflecting a lot on my first six months of my mission and for awhile I didn't recognise the change in myself, but on Friday night as I was saying my night prayers, I was thinking about it and just felt so incredibly grateful for who I am becoming. Okay not going to lie, I loved my first ward and the area, but I REALLY struggled those first 6 months and life was the craziest roller coaster for me. Some days I really did love it, and some days I did NOT. I missed home, was exhausted, sometimes even questioned my testimony.... What I really was doing was I was fighting God. I cried myself to sleep quite a few times because I felt like a total failure, like I wasn't

What?

being as obedient, diligent, patient (with myself, others and God) as I should be. Every missionary said they LOVED their mission, but a lot of the time I didn't feel that. I wondered what the heck was wrong with me.... Why couldn't I love it as much as everyone said they did? Don't get me wrong... There were moments that I really did love it, but boy did I struggle. I am grateful for Sister Obley for being patient with me in those times. She was definitely what I needed for those 2 transfers.

Despite my feelings, I pushed along anyways.

And I can tell you now that I LOVE being a missionary. And I am not just saying that because I am trying to convince myself anymore. I LOVE being a missionary. 

I am beginning to feel the change in myself and I am so incredible grateful for the challenges because I wouldn't feel the way I do right now if I never had them. 

This scripture describes the change.... 

Helamen 3:35

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

The minute I began giving God my heart and my mind, he started to change me. And I know I have sooo much to work on still, but I have so much faith in my God and my Saviour. His will..... Is always what is best. 

I love this great work and feeling the Spirit of God working through me. I haven't been able to see much success in numbers as most missionaries do, but I am confident that I have been doing exactly what the Lord expects of me.

KEEP THE FAITH.

ONWARD AND UPWARD!

Sister Ranck