Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Picture Post: From the WA-TAC Blog
Kawehi's mission has a blog, thebeautifulwa-tac.blogspot.com, and here are some of her pictures from there.
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| From her move to the Silverdale Mission |
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| At the June zone conference |
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| P-Day Mission BBQ in August |
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| Transfer meeting at the end of August |
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| At a zone conference at the beginning of September |
Thanks for stopping by and following our missionary.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Letter #22: Journal Entry 07.31.13
Aloha family,
There is a miracle I can see everyday of my life, I just have to take time to recognize it. I experienced the miracle of the gift of tongues in my first area. One evening as we were tracting and knocking on doors we came almost to the end of the two hours (5:00-7:00pm) specified by our mission for this particular proselyting method. We were tired, discouraged and unsuccessful in finding people ready to hear the gospel. We talked about just calling it quits even though it was not quite 7:00 and we still had a few houses way at the end of the street. But I had a prompting that we should just at least finish this street. Right on the dot of 7:00, we knocked on the last door and we met a man and his family who had been looking for a church to go to. We gave him a Book of Mormon and set up an appointment for the next day. We came to learn that this man spoke very little English and his family spoke no English at all. They spoke Swahili. We got him a Swahili Book of Mormon and through fasting, praying and a lot of faith we were able to teach him the lessons in English as he translated to his whole family and extended family. I believe that through obedience to the mission rules, having faith in the Lord, and by listening to the prompting of the Holy Ghost we were able to find this family and share the gospel through the gift of tongues.
My rottweiler miracle: My mission president asked us missionaries to tract everyday from 5 - 7. This one day my comp and I started right at 5 and so far we were not very successful. The homes were really spread far apart and it was coming to 6:40. We thought it would be ok to just stop a little early today because the car was parked several miles away but then a prompting told us to just knock on the last 5 houses of this street. A very nice old man came to the door of the very last house that we knocked on and he invited us in to meet his sick wife. We had a wonderful visit and taught the first lesson to them and bore testimony. We felt blessed that we followed the promptings because we ended our day with a great door. We walked away feeling uplifted and happy that we were able to share our testimonies with this great couple. As we started walking back to the car a very big dog started barking at us. I looked down and it was exactly 7:00 on the dot. Then we heard another loud barking coming from the next house and a huge rottweiler started charging towards us with his big sharp teeth. I could feel my heart drop as I wanted to run but just could not run but could only move just really slowly like in slow motion. I stretched out my hand that was holding the Book of Mormon to try to stop the dog and we just prayed really hard. As soon as the rottweiler came to about arms length away from us it looked like he just hit a wall and fell back. It was like a force field was surrounding us. We kept walking and he tried charging us again and once more as he gets to within an arms length of us it looked like he just hit a wall and then was thrown into the wild blackberry bushes. We were so shocked. We immediately said a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the protection that we just received. I know that Heavenly Father sent Guardian Angels to come down to protect us that day. I feel their presence all the time protecting us and watching over us. I know blessings and protection comes when we obey the mission rules by tracting on time and finishing on time and by never giving up even though we had a hard day tracting we kept strong and ended in a wonderful day and was blessed for it and witnessed a miracle. The funny thing was that the dogs never barked on our way to knock on these houses but only after we finished our last house. Tender mercies.
I have a strong testimony on how important the gospel is and we were protected so I can still go on through my day sharing the gospel. This was a day ... it was a hard day and I gave it all and never gave up and I know thats why the Lord blessed me. Just like Ammon in the book of Alma when he was teaching the king and falls a sleep and was about to get killed ... Ammon gave his all and the Lord helped him and kept him safe. I think this is my little Ammon story on my mission.
With Love and Aloha,
Sister Casey
Letter #21: Journal Entry 08.06.13
Okay so today was an amazing day. It starts off with us at comp/personal study the STLs came over by surprise to study with us. It was good..... funny story cuz we were going to go over at the end of our study to prank the Silverdale Elders. Well we could not cuz the STLs came over.....Bahhhhh! Then we had a good time visiting our LARC and then lunch with Sis Porter then our meeting with the elders was good..... Then we tried to meet with Potes/ LARC....all went good to see that guy at outlook apt. The one from knocking that was busy but said to come back and wanted a BOM. He said to come in ... and last time his roommate was there and said he has questions for us if he is here next time we are there. Well his name is Rob and so happy he got a BOM. He has a friend thats a Mormon and that’s the one who text the other sisters. He is in their ward. Well he had so many questions from prophet, gay, 3 kingdoms,etc. So we answered them very good I think and it made sense to him. Then his roommate came home. His name is Kenny he is black and he also had so much better questions for us. The Lord helped us so much when we were meeting with them. The spirit was there the whole time. His questions was about the different missionary works, garments, etc. Then Kenny asks me this question... we told him how we read the Bible and BOM and how it’s another testament of Jesus Christ and to look at it as the 2nd reference to a book report for school.... Then Rob explained it to him very good. That was cool. So back to the question he asked me was. “As I can tell sis. Casey you are....another ethnicity. I want to know your feelings of the religion or this church.” Well because he is black he wanted to know from my side cuz we go through like the same thing with the white man. I honestly can’t say or write what I said to them cuz I do not remember at all what I said.... but I know the spirit was there when I was speaking. It was a good amount of time not too long or short. But I remember the way they were looking at me when I was bearing my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.... and their eyes had some spark to it they were speechless and smiled and both of them said thank you. He was raised Southern Baptist....but I know I mentioned about leaving my family for 18 months cuz I know I can be with my family forever and I want to share with others my testimony so that others may be with their familes for eternity. So then we got more into that... we looked at the time and said we have another appointment to go to... (we really only had to go tracting)... but we have a whole lesson on that can we come back some time. They said how about Thursday same time ... Thats in like 2 days. okay! We prayed with them and now they both are new investigators!
That lesson went so good and the spirit was there and the Lord put words into my mouth. I truly feel like the Lord prepared them both for us to teach. This is all His work and we are just His tools or instruments in His hands. I love missionary work so much. And the rest of the day was “peachy key.” We had 3 BOM, 1 other, 3 LARC, 2 New. Best number for one day in a long time. Best story ever!!! I can see them both in white. I hope everything goes good and as the spirit tells us. Mission...mission...mission. That’s what it’s all about....to have moments like that.
Then with our RC the Pomers family Van and Valari was great. Valari read to us her patriarchal blessing. She has a wonderful blessing.
Letter #21: 08.04.13
Aloha family,
There is a sweet lady, Sis. Buckner ... okay the story with her is ... She is a less active in the ward and then when I came here I saw her name on the less-active list and I said, “Let’s go and see her?” Well, the next night we had our meeting with Bishop and he gave us her name to go and visit. So I thought it was so cool because it was the same person that we were inspired to visit. Well later on that week we went to the trailer park to visit her. She’s been very less active (LARC). We seen her and her 50 yr old daughter Penny. We found that their needs were simple. They just needed to feel that they were loved and not forgotten. We had a wonderful visit and invited them both back to church. We thought we would not see them at church until after a few more times of visiting them but just wanted to have the invite out there. Well, Sunday came and both of them were there and has come to church ever since then. She calls us, “her girls” and told us that there was something special about us then the other ones. We go and see them at least once a week and she made this dress towel for you mommy. I tries to choose one for Thanksgiving to put up on the stove handel. I hope it makes you guys think of me at Thanksgiving. I love you all so much and miss you lots.
Always with love and Aloha,
Sister Casey
Letter #20: 07.31.13
Aloha Family!
Here in Washington the weather is so different ... it looks like our summer here is over. It was so nice to see the sun. Now it would be very cold in the morning then afternoon is hot and at night time it’s back cold. It is so hard to get dressed for the day. Bahhh ... it’s Washington for you. But it was very nice to see the sun for about a month. Eveyone said this is the best and nicest summer they ever had in like 10 years. It’s so beautiful here. I still did not get my SD card. What address did you send it to? On Monday I don’t know what time I’m going to email cuz we have the BBQ with (Pres, Weaver) P-Weav. But now it’s getting dark and gray. I’m so excited to get your letter.
“I’m from a ROCK ... I’ll always be from a ROCK”
Love,
Sister Casey
Oh ya, I have been drinking mint water this past transfer to help with my head aches. Thank you mommy so much for giving me doterra. It comes in handy so much.
So Ya, just today I got the letter that you guys did for FHE. Thank you so much. Tell Tori that I will be sending a card for her wedding. But it most likely going to be after so you can get it to her how ever. Getting all the letters made my day cuz today at tracting apt. we got kicked off after our 4th door ... lol. I love you guys so much and miss you all.
Letter #19: Silverdale 06.10.13
Aloha Family,
Thank you Mommy. I got my letter with my Patriarchal blessing too. I don't know how you knew what I'm going through, but that letter helped in so many ways. I needed that letter.
Yes, it is getting hot here. I'm happy to see Makana...also, everyone is going to be married by the time I come back. haha. See I told you guys, I'm not getting married...LoL :)
It's so funny. All my comps have seen my picture book and they all ask me if they can write my brothers. I just laugh. Then all the elders I'm serving with see my picture book and think that Helam or Ira is my boyfriend...haha. They always ask, "What is the story with him?" I say, " He is my brother." Lol :)
So yeah. I'm in Silverdale 6th for another transfer. Your 2nd transfer with your comp is when you become even closer. So Elder Pedersen is also staying and he has a baby (greeny). Elder Bond is changing to Spanish speaking in our mission. It's funny because he knows no Spanish but he took 2 years in junior high. In the MTC he felt he needed to buy a Spanish Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel. He did not know why because he had an English speaking mission. But he did get them. That's cool. ha.
Oh ya. I started this letter because I wanted to tell you my cool story that happened to us while tracting. Well a few days ago we tracted in Brownsville. We are still tracting in Brownsville. The homes are far from each other. So there is a lot os walking on the side of the road. We came to a side road/hill and there were about 6 homes...letting you know it was a very steep hill to walk. Well we always start at the farthest house first then walk back. So the first house, we knocked at had a very old couple in their 80s. We let us in... We were thinking, "okay, yes, we got one" and he wanted us to talk to his wife. They are very lonely old people who needed to talk to someone. She was not that interested at all. My comp was talking to her and I was talking to the man. He knew of some members while he was in the airforce. He told me so many cool stories. I think he would be a wonderful member. I got to talk about our message and he told us to stop by anytime. So long story short, we were there for a long time. As we were leaving, we go to the next house and there is this big dog that would not let us come up the road so we are like, okay, we will go to the next one then. As we get between that house and the next, a dog 3 times bigger charges at us and was barking. I could feel my heart drop as I do not take my eyes off of him. I wanted to run but I just could not run...only walk. The dog comes an arm's length away, full running at us, but as we said a prayer in our hearts, as soon as the dog gets an arm away from us, it was like we had a force field around us while we were walking.
The dog kept on running to us but it looked like we had a wall that he kept on running into. Then soon we could not see the dog. Somehow, he ended up into the bushes in a few seconds. We did not know at the time what happened. I looked at the time and it was right at 7PM and that is when tracting finishes. I know blessings come from finishing right on time. So we still had to walk about 5 minutes back to the car. I know the prayers work and the missionaries are protected. That is a cool story. I almost died from a dog. I still can see the face of that dog in my head and remember the feeling I had at that moment.
Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are afaithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith. Alma 44:4
Daisy Tangare came to transfer meeting to see me. She brought me flowers and she told me that they are going back to Hawaii. Her daugher, I was teaching hula to and helping her, she had to dance at school and she had a song that her dad was going to sing. But they told me that she changed and danced the song I was teaching her. That day I felt so loved. I even got to see the Coveys and I said Hi to Brother Covey and he was so happy to see me. We talked for a long time. I can't wait until I can take you to see them.
I talked to the sisters that are in Skyline and asked them about Jenn and Joe. The last few days I have been thinking about them at night. So on P-day, I wrote a late birthday card for Jenn and I bore my testimony and told her to never give up because I know she wants to go to the temple and I gave her a picture of the temple. I got to give it to the sisters there in Skyline. The sister in Skyline told me that everyone loves me and I'm known over there. She told me that Joe cannot stop talking about me. So I was so happy to hear that and it made my day.
The last few weeks I was going through a hard time; thinking I'm not a good missionary and that no one will remember me. I got the letter from you Mom. Then I went to transfer and felt so loved. I know as long as I work hard, I will be the missionary the Lord wants me to be. Thank you for all you do and I will love it if you both come to get me at the end of my mission.
The mission home is so funny :) as a missionary. We watch the movie, The Testaments, a lot. It's so funny. All the missionaries say that.
On P-day, I went mini golfing with my zone for 2 of the Elders birthday. It was so much fun and I got to know them a lot better. I found out I suck at miniature golf...LoL. In August, Presdient Weaver is having a not mandatory BBQ on one of our p-days because he cannot have any mandiotry meeting on our p-days. The way he said it, everyone is going to be there. There's going to be a talent show as a zone. I'm going to ask if I can dance a hula for the mission.
So fun fact, it was my 6 month mark so I got to burn my nylons. You will see in my next SD card. It was so much fun. Every 6 months you burn something else. It is a WA-TAC tradition.
So today is the 10th and after district meeting we all went to the family history center to learn how to use and teach how to start family history. That is going to be our finding idea as missionaries. We always did it but it was not organized and now that we have a good plan that I started off with in talking to other Elders about. We talked to president and we are going to try it out here in my zone in Silverdale. If it is good, everyone in the mission will do it this way. We are working so hard trying to find people to teach and we still have the highest rates of baptism in the state as a mission. Everyone wants to be a part of the WA-TAC and that is why our numbers are high in baptisms and they stay active.
It's always funny but sad at the same time. Some how I always make friends with the Elders that are leaving. Every transfer I always have to say bye to the Elders. But it's all good. I can't wait to see them all after the mission.
I love you to the heavens and back. And I miss you all too. How is everything? Is Ira at home still for the summer? So the kids still remember me? How's my room Ammon?
Sorry my letter is so jumpy. It's been taking 2 days to write it in my down time. I write what I keep forgetting to write in my emails. But ya, I'm in my old area. Skyline is also this transfer and there are Elders in our ward. It is so hard to serve with Elders in the same ward. Almost all the wards are having sisters and elders. That's at least 4 missionaries. Some time there are 5 or 6 in a ward.
I'm still in shock that Tori's getting married this month. She is younger than me! And Aubrey too. I did not even know they were dating. I know she liked him. But I'm so happy for them and also all the ones going on missions too. By the time I come back, all my friends from high school will be married or still on missions...haha:). Is there any more news that I do not know of???
FUN FACT! I'm not getting married. There is no hope...haha. by the time I come back everyone I know will be married. In my ward, Silverdale 6th, everyone has amazing stories about how they met. Like one convert was telling the Lord, "no, not this man." He told her over and over, "It's him." She said, "anyone but him." They could not stand each other. Well they have been married for 4 or 5 month now. This ward is filled with stories like they are meant for each other. So all of missionaries are like, We are never getting married! Lol. Well, I love you. <3.
Love always,
Sister Casey
Your Baby and Missionary
P.S. Mommy, if you want to read the Book of Mormon with me. I'm in Alma 44. And I read about 4 chapters a day. I thought it could be a mother/daughter thing or even a family thing if eveyone wants to read with me? I love you and miss you so much <3. Oh yeah. This transfer we had an Elder from Iraq. That's cool.
Thank you Mommy. I got my letter with my Patriarchal blessing too. I don't know how you knew what I'm going through, but that letter helped in so many ways. I needed that letter.
Yes, it is getting hot here. I'm happy to see Makana...also, everyone is going to be married by the time I come back. haha. See I told you guys, I'm not getting married...LoL :)
It's so funny. All my comps have seen my picture book and they all ask me if they can write my brothers. I just laugh. Then all the elders I'm serving with see my picture book and think that Helam or Ira is my boyfriend...haha. They always ask, "What is the story with him?" I say, " He is my brother." Lol :)
So yeah. I'm in Silverdale 6th for another transfer. Your 2nd transfer with your comp is when you become even closer. So Elder Pedersen is also staying and he has a baby (greeny). Elder Bond is changing to Spanish speaking in our mission. It's funny because he knows no Spanish but he took 2 years in junior high. In the MTC he felt he needed to buy a Spanish Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel. He did not know why because he had an English speaking mission. But he did get them. That's cool. ha.
Oh ya. I started this letter because I wanted to tell you my cool story that happened to us while tracting. Well a few days ago we tracted in Brownsville. We are still tracting in Brownsville. The homes are far from each other. So there is a lot os walking on the side of the road. We came to a side road/hill and there were about 6 homes...letting you know it was a very steep hill to walk. Well we always start at the farthest house first then walk back. So the first house, we knocked at had a very old couple in their 80s. We let us in... We were thinking, "okay, yes, we got one" and he wanted us to talk to his wife. They are very lonely old people who needed to talk to someone. She was not that interested at all. My comp was talking to her and I was talking to the man. He knew of some members while he was in the airforce. He told me so many cool stories. I think he would be a wonderful member. I got to talk about our message and he told us to stop by anytime. So long story short, we were there for a long time. As we were leaving, we go to the next house and there is this big dog that would not let us come up the road so we are like, okay, we will go to the next one then. As we get between that house and the next, a dog 3 times bigger charges at us and was barking. I could feel my heart drop as I do not take my eyes off of him. I wanted to run but I just could not run...only walk. The dog comes an arm's length away, full running at us, but as we said a prayer in our hearts, as soon as the dog gets an arm away from us, it was like we had a force field around us while we were walking.
The dog kept on running to us but it looked like we had a wall that he kept on running into. Then soon we could not see the dog. Somehow, he ended up into the bushes in a few seconds. We did not know at the time what happened. I looked at the time and it was right at 7PM and that is when tracting finishes. I know blessings come from finishing right on time. So we still had to walk about 5 minutes back to the car. I know the prayers work and the missionaries are protected. That is a cool story. I almost died from a dog. I still can see the face of that dog in my head and remember the feeling I had at that moment.
Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are afaithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith. Alma 44:4
Daisy Tangare came to transfer meeting to see me. She brought me flowers and she told me that they are going back to Hawaii. Her daugher, I was teaching hula to and helping her, she had to dance at school and she had a song that her dad was going to sing. But they told me that she changed and danced the song I was teaching her. That day I felt so loved. I even got to see the Coveys and I said Hi to Brother Covey and he was so happy to see me. We talked for a long time. I can't wait until I can take you to see them.
I talked to the sisters that are in Skyline and asked them about Jenn and Joe. The last few days I have been thinking about them at night. So on P-day, I wrote a late birthday card for Jenn and I bore my testimony and told her to never give up because I know she wants to go to the temple and I gave her a picture of the temple. I got to give it to the sisters there in Skyline. The sister in Skyline told me that everyone loves me and I'm known over there. She told me that Joe cannot stop talking about me. So I was so happy to hear that and it made my day.
The last few weeks I was going through a hard time; thinking I'm not a good missionary and that no one will remember me. I got the letter from you Mom. Then I went to transfer and felt so loved. I know as long as I work hard, I will be the missionary the Lord wants me to be. Thank you for all you do and I will love it if you both come to get me at the end of my mission.
The mission home is so funny :) as a missionary. We watch the movie, The Testaments, a lot. It's so funny. All the missionaries say that.
On P-day, I went mini golfing with my zone for 2 of the Elders birthday. It was so much fun and I got to know them a lot better. I found out I suck at miniature golf...LoL. In August, Presdient Weaver is having a not mandatory BBQ on one of our p-days because he cannot have any mandiotry meeting on our p-days. The way he said it, everyone is going to be there. There's going to be a talent show as a zone. I'm going to ask if I can dance a hula for the mission.
So fun fact, it was my 6 month mark so I got to burn my nylons. You will see in my next SD card. It was so much fun. Every 6 months you burn something else. It is a WA-TAC tradition.
So today is the 10th and after district meeting we all went to the family history center to learn how to use and teach how to start family history. That is going to be our finding idea as missionaries. We always did it but it was not organized and now that we have a good plan that I started off with in talking to other Elders about. We talked to president and we are going to try it out here in my zone in Silverdale. If it is good, everyone in the mission will do it this way. We are working so hard trying to find people to teach and we still have the highest rates of baptism in the state as a mission. Everyone wants to be a part of the WA-TAC and that is why our numbers are high in baptisms and they stay active.
It's always funny but sad at the same time. Some how I always make friends with the Elders that are leaving. Every transfer I always have to say bye to the Elders. But it's all good. I can't wait to see them all after the mission.
I love you to the heavens and back. And I miss you all too. How is everything? Is Ira at home still for the summer? So the kids still remember me? How's my room Ammon?
Sorry my letter is so jumpy. It's been taking 2 days to write it in my down time. I write what I keep forgetting to write in my emails. But ya, I'm in my old area. Skyline is also this transfer and there are Elders in our ward. It is so hard to serve with Elders in the same ward. Almost all the wards are having sisters and elders. That's at least 4 missionaries. Some time there are 5 or 6 in a ward.
I'm still in shock that Tori's getting married this month. She is younger than me! And Aubrey too. I did not even know they were dating. I know she liked him. But I'm so happy for them and also all the ones going on missions too. By the time I come back, all my friends from high school will be married or still on missions...haha:). Is there any more news that I do not know of???
FUN FACT! I'm not getting married. There is no hope...haha. by the time I come back everyone I know will be married. In my ward, Silverdale 6th, everyone has amazing stories about how they met. Like one convert was telling the Lord, "no, not this man." He told her over and over, "It's him." She said, "anyone but him." They could not stand each other. Well they have been married for 4 or 5 month now. This ward is filled with stories like they are meant for each other. So all of missionaries are like, We are never getting married! Lol. Well, I love you. <3.
Love always,
Sister Casey
Your Baby and Missionary
P.S. Mommy, if you want to read the Book of Mormon with me. I'm in Alma 44. And I read about 4 chapters a day. I thought it could be a mother/daughter thing or even a family thing if eveyone wants to read with me? I love you and miss you so much <3. Oh yeah. This transfer we had an Elder from Iraq. That's cool.
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