Farewells

August 17, 2015

Dearest family and friends,

Well, the title kind of says it all, we received transfer instructions on Saturday and I will be leaving blessed Decatur. Crazy how fast time flies when you're having a ball! Especially when bringing up the fact that I'm hitting my hump day this Wednesday, on transfers. I've been out for 9 months! 9 more to go! So insane!

Well, this last week was great, especially pertaining to following the promptings of the Spirit. Sister Rodriguez and I had many instances when we were strongly prompted to do or say something, and heeding to the enticing's of the Spirit helped us see many miracles.
For example, one night we were leaving a dinner appointment and our cars lights were being kind of wacky. We pulled over to try and figure out what was going on. I wasn't sure what to do and I saw a man out mowing his lawn, at 8:00 at night, and felt impressed to ask him for help. I kind of pushed the thought aside and continued driving on to the designated area we decided to tract for the rest of the night. But that feeling talk to that man kept getting stronger and stronger to the point where I physically felt that if we didn't we'd miss a great opportunity. So, we went back, he was able to help us out and we got to talking. He knows several members of our church that go to our church home here in Decatur, and after talking to him about our beliefs he admitted that a lot of what we believe in is what he believes in, and he invited us to come back and talk to him more about our faith!
This experience reminded me of one similar to our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He was in the middle of a meeting when he felt a strong impression to leave and see a sick member of his ward immediately. He didn't want to appear rude, getting up in the middle of a talk, and pushed the prompting aside. He continuously received this prompting until when they finished saying the closing prayer, he bolted out the door and got to the hospital as quickly as he could. He was running down the hall to the members room, and one of the nurses told him that the man he was trying to see had just passed away, asking for him before he died. He regrets not following that prompting, and has vowed to this day to always do whatever the Spirit tells him to do.
I can promise that if we follow and heed the promptings of the Spirit we will be able to help bless the lives of those who pray for that help every day.
I hope that ya'll have a blast this week! Happy Birthday miss Kate, you big grown up 12 year old! And kiddo's, try not to party too hard while mom and dad are in Orlando, k? Love you bunches!
Steadfast in Christ, Sister Mason