Mega Picture Post: End of February to June

Letter #51: 6.3.14

Howzit!

Okay mommy, so that is the big part of my final report.  If you think of any thing else I should put in it or some other stories go right a head.  So some reason I can’t copy it so I can change the fonts and stuff.  I can only print it.  so if you want you can make it more me and fun but a nice report.  And I can send you some pic on my email to put on it.  I just might add next transfer if something happens my last transfer.  But I do have the cover page I drew it out.  it  is my Hawaiian girl and I’m working on my transfer/area/companion/and memorize page too.  That goes at the end.  And also at the end I will have to add my personal info like email, phone #, facebook, and address etc.

But thank you so much mommy for helping me with it.  I’m trying to get as much as possible done before my last transfer.  I have been with and seen too many missionaries on their last transfer busy and putting it off to the last week or so to get it done then they get too trunky cause they have to be thinking about it.  So right now for me I’m mostly finished with it and all this does not feel real that I only have 7 weeks just about.  so my last transfer I can stay with the work.

Love you my best friend mommy

Letter #50: 6.2.14

Dear Ohana,

So today is an awesome day.  it’s a beautiful and sunny Monday.  So for P-Day we are at Zion’s Camp watching 17 miracles.  The faith that they had to get to Zion to have all the temple blessings.  To see that they gave up everything.  I am more so greatful to all of them.  I’m now seeing all the miracles and blessing that I have from my family.  Thank you so much!!!  So I wanted to tell you about something that have just happened right after I finished emailing.  So I went to print out the mission newsletter and calender.  It’s 10 cents a page so had a total of 30 cents to pay.  Well right when I put 30 cents into the printer as my papers were printing there was about $20 in coins that came flowing out.  Two hands full of money.  The thought that was going through my mind was to just take it...But then, I know it was the spirit telling me to give it to the front desk and tell them that I printed my paper and all this money came out.  She asked me are you sure it’s not your change.  I told her no I only had to pay 30 cents and that’s what I put in.  Then all of this came out as it’s printing.  I did not think much about what I did.  I just knew it was the right thing to do.  But then there was this lady who I met right when I was emailing.  She is not a memeber but some sister missionaries helped her move last transfer.  So she was checking out a book at the time.  I gave all the money to the worker.  As I was sitting down waiting for my companion she came up to tell me, “It’s nice to see young honest people.  If it was anyone else they would have just taken the money.”  Then she thanked me for that and that she saw it.  I did not realize that anyone was payng attention to me when I gave all the money back.  And the lady also said that she needed to see the good in the people now a days.  I do hope it changed her and more so that she will be more honest.  I am so happy and more so because they can see I was a missionary with my name tag.  To represent Jesus Christ.  All of us missionaries are so nice to the lady library worker.  It’s funny cause we are always the first one’s there right waiting outside when they open up on Monday mornings at 11:00.  We always come in and always have a smile and say good morning and ask them how is their day going so far and as we leave we always thank them.  All of them are also not members too.  Well I just got to say that I am so very greatful to that lady who was watching me.  I would not even have noticed what I had done.  I would have just gone on my day.  There must be so many things that we do everyday and we don’t even recognize it.  Watching the movie is so sad to see all what they went through.  The pain, their faith is so strong trying to go to zion.  It will all be worth it.  Man!  I love this gospel.

Love always with love and aloha Sis Casey

PS just wanted to have fun with my letter, I hope you guys had fun reading it too.

Okay, sorry more being added from my studys in D-comp.  Well to start off will be in (Exodus 20:19) it’s talking about the Ten Commandments.  Well vs. 19 sounds like the people could have talked to God face to face, but they tell Moses to go talk to God.  We could have gotten more commandments.  So I was thinking about who would ever turn down an opportunity to talk to God face to face or why?  Well because those who would be uncomfortable... so unworthy.  My PB talks about being or having confidence in the the presence of God.  And tells me what I have to do, to get to that point.  So I asked myself if I was able to talk to God right now face to face, could I?  I think yes.  Yes, I have to work on so much more also.  I always want to be ready.  So I will not miss the opportunity or turn it down.

So I’m reading all the conference talks and every week the mission is told a talk to read and then we share it on conf call every Sunday.  Well this week one is Elder L. Tom Perry’s “Obedience through our faithfulness.”  I love the stories about or from his grandfather about obedience and the horses.  I love how he said “:doing the right thing is to be obedient and follow the drivers lead.”  And about the gentle tug.  (the small voice)  As I am reading I’m thinking back into my life.  How for YW obedience to my parents was so hard to do and took the longest too.  And then I was thinking about if I had a gentle tug....And many stories came to my mind.  One was when I was in the movies with Hannah and how they wanted to leave to go to an R movie and I just stayed.  Or that time when I was sleeping over Hannah’s and I called for you guys to pick me up cause her dad and grandpa was all drinking with these friends.  I know I have had that gentle tug all in my life.  Then the faith...how important faith is.  When I went to the temple I’ve been studying the law of the gospel.  And I just love how every thing I read talks about the law of the gospel.  And now sacrifice and to have your faith tested.  Just like Abrahanm.  I know that I still have a very big sacrifice to do.  I do know everything I went through was a sacrifice getting me ready for my big one.  I see the house fire as one.  It was a very big testing of  my faith and sacrifice to have nothing.  It just made me stronger.  And all what Helam had to go through growing up as he had and was sick all the time...but I got to see the power of the priesthood on earth and gained a testimony of it.  I do know all what Helam had to go through was to make me stronger together with my ohana and with the gospel to help me when the house burned up.  I am very greatful for my family.  Thank you for all your examples on helping me to be a stronger daughter of my Heavenly Father and what he wants me to be.  I love you all so very much, Well it’sbed time.  Got to go

MAHALO!  Always your missionary

“I pray because I can’t help myself...I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping.  It doesn’t change God.  It changes ME”  C.S. Lewis

Letter #49: 4.28.14

Aloha Ohana!

Thank you mommy I did get the box on Monday.  and thank you for the awesome pants and the socks... they work perfectly.  And I never had mochi in a long time and thank you for everything else.

So I have no idea if I have told you about this past week.  We went to a memorial service for Terry Hyatt.  He was this less active in our ward and he was very sick.  He passed young at 51.  Our ward did a wonderful service for the family.  We put it on.  Bishop asked us to go because there would be about 60 non members.  Most of the family are less-active.  And it’s been a long time since they been in the church.  Bishop shared a wonderful lesson of the plan of happiness.  I cried off and on within the service when the brother shared a beautiful eulogy.  The spirit was so strong any way the whole church smelt like smoke.... it was so sad to see all of them thinking they would never see him again and how thy don’t know the plan that Heavenly Father has for everyone of us.  This memorial service was a wake-up call to me and the spirit touched me on why I am out here on my mission.  I was so trunky that day.  I love the gospel and to see people who I was able to share the gospel and our father’s plan to see them make that change in their life... and when they take that first step into the waters of baptism.  Just to even have one baptism on my mission is so worth the 18 months.  By helping one will helping many later on in life because of that one.  I am so lucky to have that opportunity to have 10 baptisms so far.  And to help 4 of them get the priesthood.  This is the most joy I ever had.  This Saturday May 3rd at 7:30 Jeffrey Bishop is going to be baptized.  I am the longest sister that taught him.  I taught him every lesson.  I am so happy that I never got transferred because I would have missed it by 5 days.  But I get to be here.  I am so grateful for the loving and willingness of Christ’s atonement.  I know of his love for me.... It’s all because of Him.  I am so grateful for my rich heritage.  I am so proud of being a Casey.  I’m trying my very best to live up to my name and most of all the name on my tag.  I am the luckiest daughter in the world.

Mahalo for teaching and living the gospel and for the wonderful examples in my whole life.  And for the great support everyone of you give me in helping me to be out here to have this great opportunity to serve my Lord to give a small part of my life.

You guys will be amazed at how much I know now from my studies.  I love all and miss you lots.  I have a challenge or will say a commitment for this week for all of you to do.  Talk to one non member about the gospel.  It could be anything.  People at work, school, friends, in stores.  It is a very simple commitment.  Just start with talking about it to one person.  I will follow up next week.  Missionary work is the greatest.  The work is going forth.  I’m not asking you to go and invite to baptism.  I’m just asking to open your mouth.  It can be short and simple.  Even the kids can do it to.  They can just say how they know they are a child of God.  You would be surprised how much just telling that  they are a child of God to someone....it will make their day.  Pray everyday for help so you will know who to talk to.  I’m just asking one person this week, 7 days.  (D&C 100:10)  I’m not asking you to teach the WOW or LOC...that’s what missionaries are for.

“We have a mission in the world:  each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding age to  the years of accountability, aught...to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth”  Pres. Joseph F. Smith

I love you all, but help God’s Kingdom.  I know you are doing good, but be great!

Love always Sis Casey

PS.  The Jesus pic.  Sis Weaver one day gave all the missionaries one and told us to always keep him close to you.  So I’m going to add it because of Him.  I always have one close to me.  I will soon send everyone their own in a few weeks.

Letter #48: 4.21.14

Aloha family,

It’s been good and hard this past week.  My baby Sister Boone is truly great.  Belfair is a very hard and slow area.  There is so much to learn here, grow, and never give up.  Great and wonderful things are ahead.  I truly can say I love it here.  In the beginning of this week just for a second I thought I was failing my Heavenly Father.  Well then I got sick... I came to realize that I was working so hard and so into the work trying to find new people that I did not take care of myself that He had me rest for 2 days.  I know I did not fail and that my loving Heavenly Father is so proud of me.  This week has been a great eye opener for me.

BECAUSE OF HIM...I’m here, I have this wonderful family who loves me and for support.  It’s all because of Him.  My older beloved brother Jesus Christ.  He made it possible for me, you, and we.  I came to know this this week.  I could have never done it without Him.  I am so greatful for His sacrifice.  What an older brother to show His love and being willing to take that assignment, diligently, obediently to make it possible for me to come down....having this great opportunity.  My whole life of 20 years I have learned so much.  Even more within the last 15 months.  I am so greatful to have everyone of you as great teachers.  “But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.” Alma 34:41.  I came to know what life is all about.  I can’t even explain that great love I have for Him.  The video said it all perfectly.  It’s because of Him.  I am trying to do and learn all I can.  I’m hoping this little sacrifice of my mission will help me know and come closer to my Savior.  I am looking forward to many more sacrifices I need to do or what He asks of me that I will be willingly to accept.  My testimony is strong as a rock or stone, that it will be recorded for all.  I love you so much and miss you lots.  To the heavens and back.  He lives!

Love Sis Casey

Faith is awesome!  Ether 12:13-15

“Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.  Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and witht the Holy Ghost.  Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his bretheren which wrought so great a miralce among the Lamanites.”  We must walk by faith rather than by sight.

Letter #47: 4.10.14

Aloha,

We went to the Mission Creek Prison tonight with bro and sis Stone.  It was a way cool opportunity.  This was their FHE night.  Nine of them came and it was an awesome turn out.  We talked about service, sang hymns, had prayer and played bingo.  We talked about why we came out on a mission.  The spirit was so strong.  Then we watched two Mormon messages about special missionaries.  It really touched the girls.  The girls know that they did wrong.  This is not like the prisons on TV.  There are no bars, but there are a lot of doors we go in and all the girls respect us as we walk in.  They all know who we are by the way we dress.  I really got to know the girls.  It was wonderful that I got to share my scriptures and about how Heavenly Father knows us. (3 Nephi 18:31, Mtt 10:30, D&C 6:36, John 17:3).  I got to share this with them and helped them feel that they are daughters of God.  They all thanked me so much.  And at the end I told them a history on the hula and taught them some hula.  It is very hard cause one of the rules is that you can’t have any physical contact with them.  So no hugs, or even hand shakes.  I love these girls.  One of them, Rebecca, is a RC I know her elders (Steed and Butterfield).  She is getting out on Monday.  She is getting out early for good behavior.  (Camp Cupcake)

Letter to President Weaver: 4.1.14

Aloha President Weaver,

Okay so you are going to get two letters from me this week.  I wanted to share my 7:55 Monday Night Miracles.  I do know that the Lord, “He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you” is so true.  This past transfer and this transfer I’ve been very focused on that one liner from PMG#155.  Belfair is a very hard place.  It is very slow and yet so big.  I’ve been trying my very best in being diligent in the work.  I do strongly believe Heavenly Father was testing my faith in Him here in Belfair.  My comp always ask me how am I not frustrated here?  I know this is His work, not my work.  He knows who and He will lead.  I have studied D&C 101:7 I need to come unto Him fast.

So Monday we did not know where to do 6-7’s.  Well I told her turn here and lets find parking.  So we parked right in front of this guy’s house.  We get out and I got the BOM from the back and the guy was just looking at us creepy.  I just say to sister Boone get in and let’s just park down the hill.  Now we are knocking on the doors and we have no luck.  We are coming up to 7 soon and we saw some people outside.  They saw us coming so they walked inside.  So I got this feeling to look back and there is this Spanish mom, daughter and son who just got home.  They were walking down when I do the whole who we are and why we are here intro.  She tells us to follow her to the back of their trailer.  The daughter is speaking to us of what the mom wants to say.  Their story is sad.  Their father, a few weeks ago, just went to prison.  They are by themselves and trying to come closer to God now.  The spirit was so strong and He put words in my mouth of what to say.  The mom was so happy to see us.  So I tell her about the Spanish elders and if they would like them to come back.  She remembered them knocking on their door but the dad was home then and he did not want anything to do with them.  From the time the father has been in prison she has been praying for God’s help.  We talked about prayer and I bore my testimony about how Heavenly Father knows us and loves us.  We set up a time to come back to do some service and got their info for the Spanish elders.  We asked the mom to say a prayer from her heart.  I could not understand it at all but it was so powerful it made me cry a little.  She kept on  saying how greatful she was for us to stop by.  I know they were not ready before but now they are.  I hope all goes well for the Spanish Elders.  So yeah, we called the elders that night to give them that referral and they planned to be in Belfair the next day already.  That was a testimony to me that the Lord has it all planned and to not lose faith.  It was a wonderful opportunity to have.  It’s days like this that keeps me going.  We needed to be there at that time.  I just love missionary work.  I am so happy for the Spanish Elders and I hope they can get a family to baptize.

This is so sweet!  Got to love the WA-TAC.  I just wanted to share my 7:55 Monday Miracle.  Thank you for everything!

Always with love and Aloha,  Sister Casey

Journal Excerpt: 3.31.14

Aloha journal,

So today is p-day.  It ended up being a very beautiful day.  The sun was out.  We finished our shopping by 11:00 then went down to Key Center to go email.  Winter Creek Elders...Sparks and Peck.  We did not really to talk to them today.  We did not get to meet with the other sisters today.  So we came back to Belfair and stopped by the wood carving place in Allen but they all were too big to get so then we just came back home to the North Shore.  I put on the Legacy and wrote a lot of letters the rest of p-day.  We had dinner at the Landakers and sis Alop was there too.  So we tracted right by there.  We did a few houses and no luck.  Then we went to Skipper Ct.  We see these people and they see us and then walk away.  I get a feeling to turn around and there is this Spanish mom, daughter and son.  I just start to talk to them.  The daughter has to translate for us.  They take us to the back of their trailer to talk.  They start telling us how much they need God.  Then she tells us their story.  Their father just went to prison a few weeks ago.  They are by themselves.  They’ve been trying to get closer to God for help and here we walk in right at 7:55.  The spirit was so strong the whole time.  Just telling us what to say to this family.  We end up giving our number to them and I got their info.  Juana Castaneda.  I seen them all in white as a family.  Crazy thing they remember the Spanish elders when they knocked last trasfer but their dad was home and did not want anything to do with religion.  Now the mom is sending her kids to any church to get them closer to God.  Now they are prepared and want to listen.  We talked for a long time.  The mom said a beautiful prayer just pouring out her heart.  The spirit was so strong I started to cry anyway I did not understand it all.  She kept on saying how greatful she is for us to come by.  I just love the way the spirit works cause we had no idea where to tract.  I just said turn here.  Park here.  But funny cause we parked further up the hill, but a guy was looking at us a creepy way and I said lets drive.  Then we parked closer to Skipper Ctr.  In the middle of the prayer I got the feeling to give the daughter a Book of Mormon to read and promised her the book will help her come closer to God.  I told her to read it it will make everything better.  This is my 7:55 Monday miracle.  So right away we got in contact with the Spanish Elders.  Elder Clifford.  I told them everyting.  I hope it all works out for them so they can baptise this family.  ANd it turned out that the Spanish Elders planned to be in Belfair tomorrow.  And we needed them to come as soon as they could.  Cause they are planning to move by Friday.  The Lord knows.  This is his work.  And I am so greatful to be a part of it.  That was just a small experience.  The spirit guides you.

Then we were going to try to see Krysta Porter again.  She is a true LARC.  She is les-active and a recent convert too.  We are trying over and over to meet her.  I left notes.  This was going to be our last try.  We knocked and knocked...no one came.  Then we started to walk away and then her husband came out and told us she is coming down.  We had an awesome talk with Krysta and we are going back next week.  She is way funny.  I know we are going to get along so well.

This has been so great for a p-day.  This past transer and few weeks I feel that the Lord was testing me out here to see how I will work.  My comp asked me yesterday how do I not get frustrated here.  The work is so slow and the area is just so big.  I told her this is the Lord’s work he knows and I need faith that he will lead me to them or them to me.  I just got to keep on working hard and to be happy with what I get.  Now all the hard work I did last transfer is being payed off just from this wonderful day.  I have grown here so much from Belfair.  I love it so much.  I am so happy I can help my fellow missionaries (Spanish).  This is the time and work.  It is coming.  What a day.  I love being a missionary.

Love sis Casey

Letter #47: 3.31.14

Dear Mommy & Papa,

Thank you so much for the box.  Good thing about my mail here in Belfair.  It comes right to the door.  I love you and miss you lots.  The Belfair ward is wonderful.  There is a spirit that is so different in Sacrament.  The Bishop worked on the ward to have the right mind set when you enter the chaple doors.  As soon as you walk in you can feel the spirit.  Its way cool to serve here in this ward.  Well I am almost done reading D&C and New Testament.  I am still working on the Old Testament.  My goal is to finish all the books before I get home.  I have grown to love all the books so much.  My study scriptures are just filled with notes and quotes.  They are way bigger now.  I have no idea how I did not enjoy them when I was back at home.  They are all so good.  I’m trying to think of what else to talk about...it is a beautiful day here in Belfair.  So for the month of March our mission had a goal of 100 baptisms.... well we got 85 the month of March.  It is way cool.  So yes I am very excited to be going to the temple soon.  The temple is an awesome place.  Okay so from knocking 5-7s this week we knocked into an old 80 yr old lady who told us to call her grandma cause we are far from our families serving the Lord.  Her name is Eileen.  Grandma Eileen is a sweet old Christian lady.  The first word she said to us when we knocked on her door was, “what do you put first your church or Jesus Christ?”  We right away told her with power, “Jesus Christ”. Then she said, “okay then, now you can come in.”  We did service there 2 times.  Thats one of my fun stories that happened this week.  The missionaries in my distric are putting on a Book of Mormon study class every Thursday at 7:30.  Its going to be great to get them to just start reading.  Jeffrey Bishop is on date for May 3rd.  Angel and Lily we had an amazing lesson with the.  Angel is 8, Lily is 11 so it is hard to do lessons with them.  They always just wants to play with us.  But after fasting, this lesson they wanted to learn and listen.  Lily finished reading the Book of Mormon Stories book.  So I guess Belfair is a place were Im teaching kids.... haha.

I came to love every area I serve in and every comp I serve with.  Every area and comp I had are all different.  I love them all in different ways.  I know this is a once in a life time for me,,, to be here.  I have come to know the fullness of the gospel in my life.  I kn ow I toldthe Lord, “Lord here am I send me@!”  I know I am nothing witht Him, my Savior to help and toi be my light to shine the way in whatever darkness comes my way.  I am so greatful to all the fellow prophets who took their lives for the Book of Mormon so I can have it now.  It is so true the church is.  Many blessings comes thany you for all you do for me.  Love yeah lots.

Love your sister missionary.

Letter #46: 3.24.14

Aloha mommy and papa.

So today has been a week of me training... man it’s been a long time.  I do feel so bad for my trainee... everytime I train I think that but this one is a little harder then all the others.  First off she is 19, who graduated at 16.  She only has one semester left of school and she is going into law.  Oh did I mention she is an only child!  She is getting too trunky, but she is green!  I’m training her very good and she is loving it out here.  I do get very irritated with her... I guess it is the haole in her... ha ha.  Well she never knows when I am irritated.  

Okay, cool story.  So we only tracted for one hour on Monday cause of P-day.  so on our last door...well when it turned 7:00 there were 2 more doors.  I had a feeling to finish them, so we did.  The last door this old old man came out and talked to us.  He started to bash with us.  My baby girl started to bash back.  I prayed very hard cause I wanted to show her that we don’t bash.  So I said something and the tone was with the spirit.  We stayed out of deep doctrine as much as possible with his questions.  He asked us about everyone being Gods and etc.  By the time we finished talking to him I testified and invited him to pray about what we talked about.  He said yes he would and he would talk to his wife.  He told us many missionaries come by and they never could answer the questions like we did.  The spirit was so there and it was him we needed to talk to that night.  That’s why we had to keep knocking on doors.  I’ve been reading the talk by Elder Alvin R. Dyer “The Challenging and testifying Missionary”  This talk is amazing!  I know from me just ending our talk with this guy in my testimony was amazing.  And wonderful things happen when we testify.  This past transfer I been reading and listening to many talks.  The Church is so true!  Just love it!  Being a missionary is the best.  I know that was a seed that we just planted with this guy.  Then after I talked to my baby girl about bashing.  And how the spirit is never there when you bash.  And it is the spirit that touches them not us.  If Heavenly Father really wanted to he could do this all by himself.  It is not us....

Well I love you all.  I can’t think of that much more that happened.  Oh transfers were so much fun.  Well that’s a whole nother time.  Well just keep on praying for me and my comps driving.

Love Sis Casey