Photo Post: October 2013

Letter #32: 10.29.13

KIAORA Ohana,

Howzit!  So now I was thinking what I would need for Christmas.  I only can think of a sweat-shirt (Like a Cool Kahuku one or a poly cool one) and then boots.  Cause I still need boots.  I keep on looking for one I like but they are just too expensive that will never get them.  So you can ask Amy to help look for nice ones and I trust you.  You also can look at the LDS Missionaries sisters boots for what’s approved.  But I love the ones Amy got me last year.  Just make sure that it’s like 9 or 9 1/2 with wide calfs.  Then it should be all good but I can’t think of anything.  I would just love any thing.

Okay, I have a pretty cool story to tell ....Okay.  Once upon a time in cold Silverdale, Washington, a sister missionary from Hawaii looks in the area book and 6 names stand out to her.  And one of the names is Mary @ Central Valley.  I remember this name from my first transfer here and she had the first 2 lessons.  It did not have an address.  It only had her name and Central Valley on the paper.  Central Valley Rd. is about 3 miles so what we did the sisters was on one side of the street and the Elders were on the other side of the street and we did 5 hours of tracting trying to find Mary.  And we did not find her.  I even wrote that on the teaching records.... So that’s from 4 transfers ago.  Well, recently I checked our teaching record and an address for Mary appeared in pencil, not my handwriting or any of my comps.  The Elders never met her either.  So I have no idea how the address got on the teaching record.  So we went to the house and I remembered that I knocked on that house before but no one was home and there is a sign outside with a different name on it.  So we still knocked because we think we were led there.  Well it ended up to be Mary.  We talked and prayed with her.  Right now she’s not interested.  I think we were led there so that we would have to pray with her. Oh ya, whew, when I got out of the car a snake slithered right by my feet so I jumped back into the car and climbed into the driver’s side to get out... ha, ha, ha.  Ya, I am a baby when it come to snakes.  And then all the other names we visited them and every one of them were home and we were able to talk to them and pray with them.  I still do not know how the address got on the paper... its still a ?  

Wow, it’s colder and darker faster.  So we are tracting when its black outside.  Not fun.  But the work still goes on.  Today was a wonderful day of talking to people.  The only bad news is that one of my investigators moved.  He was someone I tracted.  Rob, he is so cool.  I taught him all 3 lessons.  He is one that has a lot to work on.  He is in the Navy, who drinks, smokes, every thing!  Talks bad.  But very smart.  He loves worldy things.  But trying to find the truth.  He’s one as soon as he finds out for himself that this is the one and true gospel he would get baptized right away.  Since I’ve been teaching him he gave up smoking cigarettes.  He is working on one thing at a time.  We did not ever talk about WOW yet.  I’m sad that he moved.  It’s the next town over so not too far.  He said he will drive back so we can give him a church tour.  I asked him if he wanted the other missionaries number there.  He said yes.  But he wanted to say bye and he did promise us that we could give him a church tour.  So that’s why he brought it up and said he will drive back.  That’s awesome.  He is one I seen in white.  But I never know I might get to serve there too.  That would be cool if I find Rob again.  So this is what’s up with me.  I’m so excited for Thursday...it’s our Hallooween party.  Well it’s like a lock-down day.  Cause we can not be out on Halloween from 3 - 9:30pm.  so we play games, eat, and watch a movie that Pres. picks out.  Halloween is the missionaries most favorite holiday on a mission.  I love you all

Always with love and aloha,  sister Casey

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”  John 17:3

My mission pres has us memorize scriptures from the PMG.  He gives us a page and we choose what scripture on that page.  Last week I memorized this scripture then we pass it off to our DLs.  I just love it how it said know God and Jesus Christ.  Know is so different from believing in.  I believe in them. but do I know them?  I have been trying to know them now.  I want to know them.  I ask you all to know them.  That’s my commitment to you all.

Letter #31: 10.21.13

TALOFA Ohana.

thank you mommy for the pic and for my patriarchal blessing.  Now I have many copies.  I love the pics.  All the Elders and friends love to look at my friends and they all want to write them...lol.  Thank you for all the addresses to my uncles.  But I am missing one uncle.  And he is the one I am most prompted to write.  I remember when I went with Melissa to invite him to your 60 birthday party....but I was in the car with Lili.  I don’t know why I have a very strong feeling to just write him.  Maybe it will open to some things.  I love you and miss you all so much very much.  This is going to be short cause not much happened this week, but I will have a lot to write after Saturday.  

Sister Casey

Letter #30: 10.7.13

This letter was written from the bottom of the page going up. She must have been bored. :)

Dear Mommy,

So I wanted to have some fun with this letter.  :)

Well my birthday was wonderful I got a lot of calls and text wishing me happy birthday.  and my comp and the Elders I serve with took me out to dinner to a teriyaki place and then we went to the playground by our apartment and went on the swings and took pictures.  The Elders got me Twix, Cookies’n’creme chocolate, sobe drink and a little cupcake with a candle.  Funny thing they did not have a birthday candle so they went to bro. Jai’s, he is a recent convert that lives at our apartment to see if he had any birthday candles, but he did not he only had a small house candle.  So I had a house candle that smells wonderful on my birthday cupcake.  ha, ha. :) Too funny...well I loved it cause the Elders thought all of it on their own.  So for young men that’s very good planning :)  I am serving with the best missionaries.  And Friday is my most busy day out of the week here in Silverdale.  So we had 3 lessons, took our time at the mall for the family history booth.  It’s funny cause everyone else that has a booth all know me.  Cause I have still been here.  So when I go to help set-up everyone says “Hi” to me.  I’m just always very nice to everyone there and I get to know them.  And I always help them put up their things too and when it comes to clean up.  Frank is one of my new friends there.  He is set up right next to us.  He is native American and sells dream catchers and metal petals.  He is a very nice old man.  He always gives me something and always shows me his newest art pieces.  And I always talk to him about the gospel.  Man!  So many of them always give me something.  I never noticed how nice I am to all of them till today cause my comp said, “Wow! you know everyone and it’s personally.”  I told her I have been here for a long time and every Friday since my 2nd transfer here.  You see the same people.  It would be sad if I did not know their name by the time I finish here in Silverdale.  Every one of them I talked about the gospel to every Friday.  And it’s them who ask me the questions.  Wow I am so different now.  I can just go up to anyone and talk.  Back at home I never did that.  Hey mommy do you remember Kini from school?  Well if you can look at my Iphotos for a pic of me and him.  Thank you.  I’m trying to get one of the sisters here to write him so I need a picture of him.  Thank you.

Wow so this transfer we are helping a lot of people move.  So far we helped 3 families and we have 3 more in our planner.  Yesterday we had interviews with president and sister Weaver.  Oh, ya I forgot to send the letter so it’s now 10/10/13.  Tell Helam Happy Birthday.  So interviews was wonderful.  It’s funny cause president....the first thing he talked about to me was safety cause it’s getting darker faster.  Cause last time when I first came into the mission it was the end of winter but the darkest time in the year and we stayed out doing missionary work till curfew.  So he told me to be safe and listen to the Holy Spirit.  And he only told me this ... too funny:)  I just love my area.  And I know I most likely going to leave next transfer cause you like never stay in the same area more then 3 transfers and this is my 4th!  So I’m working so hard cause I want to make sure that I leave this area better then when I came here.  It looks like Irene Parker is getting baptised next week.  She is my old lady.  And I talked to Pres and he told me to baptize her tomorrow... ha, ha.  So I am going to have an oldtism!  Yes;)  We are teaching so much this transfer.  So it’s passed my half way mark now!  What?  Time goes by so fast.  I just love it and don’t want my mission to0 stop!!!  So ya... I’m making 5 planners this transfer for elders that asked me to make them for them.  I do make the best planners...lol.  I just love my rings so much ...THANK YOU.  So is there a pigeon book?  If so, I want one.  Man the world is crazy now.  The Government shut down is hurting a lot of people and families here.  A lot do not have jobs.  Every now and then a member will tell us what’s going on in the world.  But I just love it as a missionary....I do not even think about what’s going on other than the gospel.  Oh ya,  that’s crazy about the women outside of the Priesthood session.  The women that want the Priesthood.  Tell you the truth.... I do not want it.  The 2nd comming is coming fast!!!  

Do you remember the locket that Omni gave me when he was on his mission?  Well, I have it and I just want to send him a picture of it on me to remind him about that time and how he was feeling.  I still remember the card.  It said, “Your two favorite brothers.”  and it had a picture of Omni and a picture of Jesus in my locket.

Most of my mission I have been here in Silverdale...but not just only Silverdale.  Silverdale 6th.  6 months here in this one area... What! ya a long time I hope I used my time wisely here.  Conference was wonderfuul.  I have so much notes.  I love watching conference as a missionary.  It’s the best.  Oh ya, I love the pic papa sent to me of Ira :)  well I don’t know what else to write so till next time.  I love you, I love you, too.  I love you more.  I love you to the heavens and back.  xoxo  

Always with love and Aloha   

Sister Casey

P.S.  I love my mission and everyone that is now in my life.

Letter #29: 10.2.13

Dear mommy,

My best friend....thank you so much for the birthday box.  I just love the rings so much.  I never knew you were going to get me also a CTR ring.... I love it.  Thank you.  also thank you for the birthday news letter.  I just love it so much.  And it made me cry a little.  So ya, now some missionaries and members know what I looked like as a baby.  lol.  Wonderful times.  I had a good life.  Thank you mommy.  Looking at the pic and seeing were I am now in my life on a mission all that got me here.

I remember one year ago on my birthday.  You and me went to grandma and gradpa Kaonohi’s grave and we talked and you said if I was my brothers I will be going on my mission.  Funny how the Lord works.  Wow! it’s been a year from conference.  so I guess I am my brothers...lol :)

I don’t know why but I thought about my uncles...to write them.  But more most I have the feeling to write your brother I never met or I did but don’t remember.  I don’t know why but I thinnk I need to send him a letter so if you send or email me all of their addresses.  Then I can write them.  Thank you.  Well you should write all my uncles and Aunties names too.  So I don’t leave them out too.  ha ha ha.  But ya, I would love to write them all.

I like to look for rainbows...whenever there is rain.  And ponder on the beauty of the earth made clean again.  I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.  I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Well the book I’m reading this trasfer is “The Continuous Conversion” by Brad Wilcox.  It is also a very good book too.  Mommy, you should read all of these books.

Well okay I should tell you mommy, I’ve fallen totally in love.  Don’t worry....it is not with a boy.  It is with the work.  I love missionary work.  I just can’t stop.  I can’t get my brain to think about anything else.  I’ve fallen hopelessly and helplessly in love.  It’s the best thing ever.

I love you and miss you so much.  ha ha ha  my comp got a mail paper so we went and I also got the box with Aubrie’s wedding announcement and all the goodies.  so I did get the boxes you sent to me.  Thank you.  I have a lot of ono goodies now.  Thank you... so much mommy.  I still can’t believe Aubrie and Matthew are married.

Love you with all my heart

Sister Casey

Letter #28: 9.28.13

Aloha,

I just love you so much and miss you.  So I think you will get this letter after your trip.  I love my mission so much.  I’m wishing to stay here in Silverdale 6th...I do not want to leave.  But by the time you get this letter you will know if I stay.  so last week I have seen President so much.  And he told me that so many members told him they wish that I stay and only good things.  He told me he likes to hear that.  Yesterday I was on an exchange with the STL’s for 24 hours 1:00 - 1:00 and blessings always happen on exchanges.  We went to Jennifer Moran and she kept on saying how much I am a blessing to her and she is so gratful for me.  I’m the one who found her.  Jennifer said she just want to write you to tell you how much you raised a wonderful daughter.  She just needed love.  And I gave her a BOM and told her to read the first 14 pages and my comp, the STL for that day, had a $1 CTR ring...you know the children’s one... and gave it to her.  She said it means so much more to her now.  I can see a change in her from the first time I seen her.  I can see and I know I came to Silverdale for her.  People like Jenn and Joe, Sis Buckner, and Jennifer is why I came on my mission and I never knew that when I came out....I was looking for something.  And this is it.  :)  Hey mommy do you think you can put those names on the prayer roll again and add Jennifer Moran too.  Thank you.  It’s funny her mom is so happy that she is talking to the missionaries now.  And now, she is reading the BOM and small kind mention about getting baptised and how long it took her to remove her records.  But she is having 2 thoughts cause she just realized that her mom always loved her.  Her mom is still a member and her sister is but her brothers are not anymore.  So she is another story of my mission.  

It’s funny this transfer I just wanted to read... so ya as a mission we are reading together but my ward mission leader let me borrow his books... I just love them so much.  They both are very good books.  You should read them too.  So I finished “Gethsemane” by Andrew C. Skinner and now I’m almost finished with “The Continuous Atonement” by Wilcox.  I love studying the atonement so much... well in my personal blessing I was told to study and understand the atonement.  I’m just READING  so much.  I love it.  

Oh ya, can you send me some lavalavas the boy types...thank you....I love you.

Your missionary.  Baby girl

Sis Casey

P.S. I love you.  Thank you for giving birth to me and bringing me into the world and into this family.  I can feel grandma and grandpa Kaonohi with me so many times.  And I know it’s them.  Some times I see rainbows and I think of you telling me... it’s grandma smiling at us.  (picture of a rainbow)

Notes for my talk at Sacrament Mtg with the Weavers - Silverdale 6th Ward

Aloha Brothers and Sisters

I was asked to speak on Missionaryu work for only 3 minutes.... so I’m going to try to do that...

I would love to start off with 3 Nephi 5:13. “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God.  I have been called of Him to declare his word among his people, that they might have evelasting life.”

The Lord has told us: “If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be ONE SOUL iunto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my father, how great will be your joy if should bringh many souls unto me.”  D&C 18:15-16

“Therefore, if you have desire to serve God ye are called to the work.” D&C 4:8

Sis Nelson just spoke in Hawaii about her new book titled “What would a Holy Woman do?” (Go to letter)

I have so many wonderful examples in my life of missionary work.  To start off with my mom and dad... No I’m not just bragging cause they are my parents.  They are so thoughtul, loving, kind, people I ever know.  They are wonderful teachers of service, always willing to help others.  They have raised and put up with me and my strong 7 older brothers.  Everyone of them has served a full time mission.  To have these examples in my life of serving a full time mission. Serving others before and after their mission.  And now I am serving my full time mission.  I feel so priviledged to follow the foot steps of my parents and brothers of serving a mission.

I would like to tell you what got me out here reight now in my life... yes it was the amazing examples in my home, but also my wonderful ward family.

Three years ago I had many questions and a big life change for me.  It was a Wednesday morning at 5:45 am.  We had a house fire. (tell the story)

1. getting ready for Seminary
2. smell, loud noise, lights out
3. family asleep
4. childhood, everything I own, history  ...  gone
5. can’t do nothing but watch my house burn down to the ground
6. 11 fire trucks
7. 17
8. 6 pm
9. ? personal hard times
10. Stake President’s blessing (priesthood blessings)
11. did not let feelings
12. Dad....under the mango tree... family prayer
13. blessings (family was safe)
14. prayer
15. love of...Heavenly Father
16. Jesus Christ Atonement
17. worldly things -vs-family
18. the things that matter most to me (family)
19. ward family
20. member (brother Coke)

Bear my testimony

Gospel

Priesthood

when I fall

End...In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

Letter #27: 9.11.13

Today was an awesome day and busy and hard day.  As missionaries you see everything.  Well my day started off great.  We contacted a referral from a member.  They are so golden and made an appointment with them so now we just got 3 new investigators.  A wonderfu way to start the Wednesday morning.  Then went to Distric meeting... amazing as always.  After we had some time before our dinner with the Barneys....  So we went to see Jennifer.  She is the daughter of the man, the very anti man who made the “God Makers”.  Well I want to start off saying I’m so happy to have a family who will aways love me.  Thank you (heart) so this is my 3rd time meeting with her.  She is going through a very hard time and had a hard life.  She said everytime we show up she is at a hard time.  She just went through a divorce with her husband who cheated on her.  All her family hates her.  And just yesterday she went to court with her x-husband to finalize it....and now her daughter hates her and told her she cannot see her grand daughter ever.  She is only 3 and she loves her grandma Jenn.  Jenn’s grand daughter was the only thing that kept her going in life...to see her grow-up.  Can you think of like Micah or Seth them saying you can never see the kids?  That’s hard.... none of her family is answering her phone or text.  They just cut her off.  All in one day.  So we seen her today and she was so off after knowing she cannot see her grand daughter.  She’s saying she has no reason to live.  She just need to feel loved.  From the first time I seen her or met her I’ve been always thinking of her.  So I gave her the poem “footprints prayer / sand” She loved it.  More things went on with her talking to us.  We showed our love to her.  The spirit was so there helping us talk to her.  No one should go through that no matter what things happened.  She is so suicidal right now.  She does not even love herself.  I feel like I’m here in Silverdale for her to help her feel like she is a daughter of God.  Well yeah I wish I did not know of some of the things she is going through at this time.  But I know she needs me and that’s why I found her..... to tell her I love her and she is loved and we are here for her.  I offered her to have a blessing.  She said she is not even worth praying for... I said that is not true.  So I’m going to be stopping there a lot to check on her.  I just don’t know what kind of family can do that.  At our Stake Conference, Robert D. Hales said, “Never shut the door on your children.  Heavenly Father loves everyone... so you should always love your child.”  That kept on coming to my mind.  How could they shut the door on her?  She said she has know one.  I told her she has us.  So it’s hard to know what to say to her.  So I’m so going all by the spirit....cause I do not want her to take her life away.  Some times as a missionary I don’t know what to do??????  She is a daughter of God.  I’m just going to pray about it.  We did talk to our ward mission leader and he said it’s hard for you missionaries to ever handle some thing like this.  But she wants to feed us 4 missionaries cause she feels good after we visit with her.  Can you just pray for her cause she is worth praying for....Thank you.

your missionary

It looked like you had a lot of fun at the PCC 50th anniversary.  I completely forgot I was going to miss it.  I love the pictures so much.  So how’s the planning for the Taputapua tea festival?  I’m hoping I’ll be back in time for it.  Are they still coming?  I talk about Tahiti a lot here.  I love the ette rings.  I had a meeting at my ward mission leader’s house last night and I wanted to print your email and I seen it.  I love them both but ya the first one got all the votes....ha ha.  Next week on the 17th we are going to Zion’s Camp as a mission.  The mission is in 1/2 for the 2 days so I go on the first day.  It’s going to be a lot of fun :)  Can you give all my little letters to the kids.  Thank you.  Thank you for always loving me and having a wonderful childhood.  I love you so much best friend.

Letter #26: 9.9.13

ALOHA family,

Well I want to start off with a thank you for all you do for me and letting me be here right now on my mission in the Tacoma Washington Mission.  It is the best thing that Is happening in my life right now.  It’s also one great growing experience.  One of the scriptures I hold very close to my heart is “And now as I said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”  Alma 32:21

Right now as a mission we are reading the Book of Mormon, 5 pg a day.  So reading it as a book new things are popping out at me.  They all are great examples to me...even Laman and Lemuel.  My testimony has grown so much.  It’s a wonderful thing.  Every day I’m trying to be like Nephi just like my patriarchal blessing talks about.  I always say “Be like Nephi”.  He always said “I will” I want to be just like Nephi one day and right away I will just say “I Will”.  I’m getting there I think.  Well I hope I’m much better then I was in high school.  I tried to change my 3rd year in high school cause I did not like the person I was... I had a bad attitude.  And I did not treat my family the way I should.  So I’m sorry that you all had to put up with me.  Mostly to my mommy.  I want to be a better daughter to you mommy and papa and to my Heavenly Father.

That is so sweet of my old comp to write you a letter.  Some times I think I’m doing nothing here... or found no one.  Well that made me feel much better.  I am trying my very best every where I go to be happy.  Showing my love and Aloha spirit.  I just want to make everyone proud of me just like my wonderful brothers.  They put up a high bar up for me my whole life.....and to put a good name for the 2 names I put on every day...to know who I am.

Well, its hard for me to watch what I eat cause the members feed us.  And I can’t be picky at the food.  But I’m trying to eat good.  And I know I am dehydrated.  But I got a glass pitcher for my mint water and thats helping me.  And I already tried to put some lavender on my pimples... it helped a little but still there ...but I thought it would help... but never thought of using melaleuca....I hope one of them will help me.  My headaches are the same, just like at home I always had it.  But it is not keeping me from doing the work.  You know me,,,, I can handle the pain.  But yes I do use “do terra” and it helps a lot.  Thank you mommy for all the good tips.

Funny story...well you all know me and my bad ankle... right.... so a few weeks ago tracting my ankle gave out...down a very very steep hill... well I think you can see where this is going right.  I took pic of it.  The bruise went away ... so now I have another funny story that happened today for p-day.  Me and an Elder in my zone was talking for a long time and then we wanted to play pass the football...well I’m going all out playing having some very nice passes....they all think I played in high school.  I said no but I have 7 brothers.  Well I gave an elder a bloody nose...lol.  He is butter fingers :(  But he is all okay...but my body never played like that in a long time .... so my body is all sore now... I guess thats what I get for playing with the elders in my zone.There are 6 sisters and 16 elders... only me that plays with them.  I’m so just one of the guys.  The elders always tell me every thing....well after they found out I wrestled they do not mess with me.

Okay every comp I had wants to write Ira or Helam.  And all the elders wants to write my work friends.  I’m just the match maker....jk jk ...well the comp that wrote you want to write Ira and she keeps on asking for his address.

It’s Tuesday and it was an amazing day.  We are so busy this pass and up coming weeks.  I’m finding more to teach so we have so much more lessons a week now.  At first when I first moved here to Silverdale, Fridays was the only day we had set apt. only 3.  Well now we still have the same 3 on Fridays but now we have 3 on Tuesday and about 4 more on other days.  And just tonight we got 3 referrals from a member who are so golden.  They talked to our members about baptism and they all want to get baptized together ... a grandma and 2 grand daughters.  And tomorrow we are going to go and talk to them and give a BOM and they want us and the elders to teach them but the only thing is the youngest turns 8 in December so most likely I would be transfered out before we can baptize them.  But I’m going to teach them all the lessons.  so that’s awesome.  I’m just going to make it easy for the new sister that would come in

So I love you all so much

Always with love and Aloha,  Sister Casey

Letter #25: 9.2.13

Aloha,

So yeah today is p-day and it’s getting pretty boring.  We as a zone went to Keyport to the Navy Museum.  That was somewhat fun.  The we went to the Stake Center just like every p-day and play b-ball, but not that many play so its not that fun so I’m writing you this letter.  I love you so much and miss you so much.  I just want tosay mommy for always being here for me.  Thank you so much for teaching me how to clean.  I think I’m a little OCD...ha ha.  Every comp I had or have don’t clean or if they do it’s the very minimum / not good.  I’m doing deep cleaning or I just can’t think at home.  I’m always doing every thing but I want to do all the cleaning cause they don’t know how to clean good.  So I do the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom, porch, door way and all in between.  I think you would be proud of me if you see how much I clean.  Thank you mommy for teaching me and loving me so muich.  And always have faith in me.  I would love to share one of my favorite scriptures. Alma 32:21 for me faith plays a big part of my life.  It has helped me in times at high school.  I ask Heavenly Father a question about 3 years ago now the time of the house fire.  I don’t even remember the question, but I read that scripture.  From reading it helped me realize that as I have faith as small as a seed it will grow and how deep my roots are in the ground I can stand through any storm that comes my way and there is not an ending point of its growth and the fruit that my tree provideds is the examples.  Thank you mommy for watering me so my roots can grow.  I love sharing that with families but I go more in dept into it.  

I cried about Aunty Ipo.  I’m so happy I met her in Tahiti.  I love her so much.  She was so proud of my dancing and how I just get up to show my culture.  She told me to start my own halau with Lana.  I am still sad but I know I will see Aunty Ipo some time.

It’s so funny I have been getting so into deep doctrine.  Its crazy stuff.  There is so much that we do not know.  I want to write all about it that us missionaries talk about, but it is just so much to write about.  There is some pretty cool books that I want some day to read.  But first I want an endure to the end ring.....it looks like ETTE  7 1/2

Love you  Sister Casey

Companion Letter #1: 8.31.13

Dear Sister Casey,

Hello!  I know you don’t know me, but I was your daughter’s last companion.  I just wanted to write ya and tell ya what an amazing daughter you have.  Kawehi taught me so much I can’t express to you the gratitude in my heart.  You have truely raised a daughter in such a way she is literally changing lives eveyday.  She has taught me what true unconditional love is; and by the way she talks about you I’m certain she learned it all from you.  I was truely blessed to have had the opportunity to have spent 3 months with her.  She is so kind, so loving, and so patient.  I do not know what I would have done the last three months if not for Kawehi!  I love her like a true sister and one will always have a very special place in my heart.

Thank you for your sacrifice in letting her go  so she could serve the Lord.  She has quite literally changed my life for forever!!  She speaks of you and her family with such love,  I hope one day I get to meet you all!

Proverb 31:10

A sister,  Dani Chapman

Letter #24: 08.26.13

Aloha Mommy

Well I never got the goodies or SD card yet.  But the mail at the mission homes I don’t get it till about transfers.  Make sure the address is right.  so I have a list for you to send to me.  

1. pidgin vocab book (2)
2. GPS  (a GPS will help me a lot in my areas so maybe Ammon can look for a good GPS for me)

So yeah, I mailed a box to you.  You should have it Thursday well you should have it by time you get this.  So the skirts is for when I come back....cuz we can not have long ones now.

Oh yeah, and ask Helam where he got his CD case that red, yellow, green.  I want one like it.  I need a CD case.  Oh yeah, I had Hawaiian food from the Hew-lens, a family in my ward.  So my pidgin came out very bad at dinner.  So funny.

My comp, sister Stoks, is the best.  I love her.  And it’s only been a week.  So on P-Day we were punished as a mission... So funny.  Sunday night pres told us we could not leave our area except to email and shop for food.  so we could not hang out with the zone.  Cuz at transfer no one was with their comp and he got very mad at us.  So for p-day we had to be with our comps....so we did not do much but write letters all day.  But we had dinner at the Graves and I had to do a talent so I danced hula and Tahitian.  It was fun:)  and I got to know the new missionaries I’m serving with and Elder Rich looks so much like my highschool friend Kini.  So how did you hear about me from Elder Pederson’s mom?  I want to know how you and papa met too.  I still did not get the answer you have about my patriarchal blessing?  I love you so much and miss you to mommy.

Your Baby Girl in Tacoma

And also with the do Terra....I’m only half way finish with the oils.  Thank you mommy for getting the do Terra for me.  I’m always drinking the mint water.  You know all that lavender I sent you, I still have a bucket of lavender in our apartment.  So it smells good.  I don’t know what I’ll do without you mommy.  Sorry it’s a lot of things I’m asking for.  The GPS can take some time cuz right now my comp has one that we are using.  I have been lucky to have comps with GPS.  But there were a few times I had to borrow someone’s GPS.  So I thought it would be good to have my own.  but this transfer is all good.  Write me if you have any questions.  We are reading the BOM as a mission starting on Sunday 5 pages a day.  So I’m still reading it for myself I’m in 3rd Nephi starting Sunday I’ll be doing it both.  So we are suposed to finish as a mission at our Christmas party.

Letter #23: 08.25.13

Aloha,

Okay, so today is Sunday and it’s the best Sunday ever.  I was so happy.  You want to know why I was so happy today...well I’ll start off from this morning.  I did my study today on “song of Solomon”... lol... I’m just joking...  mission humor... but I did have a good study in 3rd Nephi.  But I had a feeling to text Tim Jensen.  He is one of the families on base I’m trying to teach his girls.  Well I text him, “Aloha, we would love to see you and your family at church @ 1.”  Well he text me back and said, “I hope but there is drama right now”  so we said, “Well, we promise you will have a good day if you come to church.”  So we went on with our meetings before church.  And THEY DID COME.... I WAS SO HAPPY and his girls were so happy to see me and to be there at church.  She gave me a hug and then plus 2 other families that I’ve been seeing on base and trying to get them to church and they always say they going come. WELL TODAY THEY ALL CAME!  And then I also had some other LARC’s that came to church...but total of 5 investigators.  This is why I love being a missionary.  Having this feeling is the best and seeing them with their families in church.  The spirit was so strong today and every thing feels that it went right.  I can not even explain how I feel today.  Even though they are LARC and PMF, but just to see the families at church and that’s why I’m so happy today.  Oh yeah, Tim Jensen said thank you to me for the text.  I know it was the spirit that told me to text Tim.  I got to see Makana at transfer.  My comp is wonderful.  She is 24 yr old and very shy.  She is so sweet.  I do miss my other comp Chapman. I love you so much and miss you.  I can see it changing here in the Silverdale 6th ward.  Oh yeah guess what to day I was asked to speak on Sept 22 in Sacrament meeting.  And pres and sister Weaver are also speaking with me in our ward.  I need to speak on missionary work.

Always with love and Aloha,  sister Casey  your baby

Info Post: Christmas Care Packages

Hello Friends and Family of Sister Casey,
The mission home has a special request for anyone who would like to send a care package to our missionary. Here they are.

Dear Parents,  

     We are continuing to prepare for Christmas.  We know that you are preparing to send Christmas packages and special letters to your missionary. We would like to ask that all Christmas letters and packages be sent to and arrive at the Mission Office before December 3rd.  All Christmas packages and letters will be given to the missionaries at our annual Mission Christmas Celebration.  The packages will not be opened at that time.  Our hope is that each missionary will have a package under the tree.  The packages will be distributed and given to each missionary at the end of our Celebration, then taken to their apartments. Allow plenty of time for your package to arrive. 

     Please put a Christmas symbol (star, holly, etc.) on the outside of the box, so we can identify that the package is for Christmas.  This is very important!!!

            MISSION OFFICE                4007 Bridgeport Way West  Suite D
                                                            University Place, WA   98466

     We are so excited. Christmas is such a special time in the mission field. 

With our love,

President and Sister Weaver

Gift Ideas:

·         REFLECTIVE GEAR, ARM BANDS, Bike lights

·         Winter wear- hats, scarfs, socks, THERMAL GARMENTS-SOCKS

·         THANK YOU notes, stationary, envelopes, stamps.

·         FAMILY PICTURES – Letters

·         Talks on CD, books by the Twelve, or 1st Presidency

            APPROVED MUSIC CDs

            LDS composers, LDS songs, (hymns, EFY )

·         GIFT CERTIFICATES   (Stores located in the mission)

                        Penney's, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sears, Target

                        Located in all parts of the mission - Walmart

  

GIFT IDEAS THAT SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO MISSIONARIES

      X   any type of Nerf or air gun

      X   games

      X   lots of candy or sweets 

                 (the missionaries receive a large amount of sweets from members)

Thank you.  Merry Christmas