Week 10

Aloha Family and Friends,
 

     I find it hard to remember things that have happened in the past week. Time just blurs together, I forget what happened on which day, and everything feels like it was months ago or that it just happened the day before. Maybe it is a blessing because in my mind it just goes from one good moment to the next good lesson and skips all the ehh stuff in between. 

      Well the most exciting news... Big Easy is getting baptized on April 13!!! We taught him the other day and had a member with us that was perfect for him because the member has faced and overcome a lot of the same trials that Big Easy is working on overcoming. He hadn't been reading the scriptures we had asked him to read so in our lesson we read it with him. It was 2 Nephi 31 where it talks about baptism is the gate that we need to enter in by to make it back to our Heavenly Father. We stopped throughout the chapter and talked about what it was saying. Well at the end we asked him what he thought about the chapter and what he was feeling. He said, "It just feels right. It makes me want to give up chewing and not smoke my cigars anymore." Uh- I didn't know he smoked, I could have guessed about chewing tobacco. Game plan altered, we told him that if he wanted to be baptized that he would have to give up those things. He said he would and then jokingly said, "I have my can of chew right here, I can give it to you." Joke taken seriously and we took the can and removed the temptation. We told him that when we dropped him off at home that we would also take the cigars that he had planning to smoke that night. His nightly plan would be altered. When we asked him about baptism he said, "The more I think about baptism the more I think I should be baptized!" Perfect, so April 13 is what he is working for! ... He came to church this Sunday, and Sister Duke and I teach Gospel Principles and we talked about the Atonement this week and I think he was really understanding it. Then later they announced that there was going to be a musical fireside on April 14 and he turns to us and said, "Hey that is the day after my baptism." It is the best feeling when you know that these people that you love so much are excited to be baptized and promise to Heavenly Father that they are ready to commit their life to Him.
 

    We are also working with a less active who is roommates with Big Easy. He is 25, a cowboy, and a flirt. He works every Sunday so can never come to church and he likes to drink and chew as well. Well when we stopped by we were just going to leave a Word of Wisdom pamphlet for Big Easy but since he was home we talked to him and told him to read it too. He said that he was going to try and quit because he knew that it was bad. So we asked how we could help. He wants to start off by getting back into the habit of reading his scriptures every week. Well perfect, as missionaries we do everything that we can to help others so we make nightly phone calls to him and remind him. Hopefully, he will take the next step and dump out the alcohol and give up his chew.
 

     Side note: when Big Easy gave us his chew, we threw it away. But I was curious and smelt it. Oh my! Not many things make my stomach turn but that did. It smelt awful! I don't know why anyone would want to put it in their mouth! Blah!
 

     As for Alberta- we ate dinner with her on Friday after we had helped her on the farm and she has so many questions about the church and wanted a copy of the Ensign. She came to church last week and they talked about weekly Family Home Evening, this week she wasn't able to come because a film crew from New Zealand was coming to film her and her farm. Um- that's cool! She loves the way The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints makes her feel. We talked about the way the church was run and then asked if she had started reading the Book of Mormon. She hadn't and so I told her that we have a lesson that introduces the Book of Mormon and how it came to be and then she said that she wanted to hear that and asked if we could do Family Home Evening with her and teach her about that. So tonight will be great!. I am so excited for her because she is so amazing and Christ-like always helping others and is involved in everything; she does things that push herself and make her grow. Ah, I just love her!

      Also, we were able to meet a mother, Denise, who the missionaries before Sister Duke and I, had taught a little bit. Wow, she has gone through so much. She has 4 kids and no husband to support her. She is struggling to get back on her feet. We talked to her about how she can find strength by reading the Book of Mormon. Then at the end I felt like she needed to know that her past could become her past and that those events didn't have to keep affecting her future. Through Jesus Christ and baptism she could be free, she could be given a fresh and new start. She started to cry because that is exactly what she wants.

     People are amazing! It is so amazing to see people want to be better, who want to be clean of their past. They want Jesus Christ to be weaved into their lives, they don't want to just hear it anymore, they want to feel it. And when they do they want to change and they want to act to find Him. Big Easy giving up his addictions and staying clean because every time he is tempted he prays and reads the scriptures and receives strength and the craving leaves. Denise, who got herself and her kids out of an abusive situation only face struggles and loneliness. No steady job and little help. My sister Carly, is serving a mission on crutches and is exhausted but presses forward because she knows this is God's church and wants to share His gospel and His peace with everyone. People make it through incredibly hard trials. Watch the mormon message, "Mountains to Climb" and if you cry then you are feeling what I am feeling. I do not know how people make it through this life and face the trials they do without the gospel. I look at my life and have overcome some hard things but I always knew that I had my Savior and that because of what He did for me that I would never have to face anything alone. I think of Esther and the courage that she had to muster up to save her people and think how many people I know that have that same courage. Whether it is to just keep getting up every morning and face another day. I encourage all to remember this time of year, the time where Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, died on the cross, and rose three days later as a perfect being with flesh and bone. This gift is given to everyone whether they want it or not; all we have to do is accept it.
 

     I love you all, I pray for your well being and your happiness. Keep the faith and press on with faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and friend. Remember that His Atonement can apply to every aspect of our lives. I know that Jesus Christ is with us always. I know that He lives today. I know that He knows us personally and knows exactly and perfectly what we face and what we feel. I love Him as my Savior and know Him as my friend.

Love Always,
  Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 9- Manele Bay March!

Dear Family and Friends,

     Well the most exciting news! Brandon Avegalio was baptized this Saturday at Manele Bay! It was super small, just the way he wanted it. He didn't want the whole branch there he just wanted his family, the two witnesses, President Mailo (he performed the baptism), and Sister Duke and I. It was so beautiful, I was amazed at how Brandon was so happy before he was baptized but then he just glowed after. Ah, I still feel so much peace just thinking about it! It was early in the morning, a bit windy but still warm, and the Spirit was strong and perfect. I love how the family is the center of this gospel, and it was amazing to see that now their family will be progressing in the gospel together. Eren (a member wife) shared how she is so grateful that now when trials come she will have her husband to help her along the way and it won't have to be just her anymore.

      The more I am out on my mission the more I am grateful for my family and the way I was raised. I see less active parents starting to come back to church and to feel the Spirit again, but they regret that because of their falling away that some of their kids were lost in the process. I see part member families where the wife is a member and has been enduring through when she knows that it is through the temple where her family can be sealed and will be with each other forever. I see young kids that come to church without their parents and do not get the support they need. So many families are hurt and wounded but yet somehow mine was able to stay intact. Why? Because of the gospel and the principles and the truth that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches. It has not always been easy, we have taken our share of trials but instead of hitting bottom we hit Christ. Then with His help He can lift us up, dust us off and help us face whatever comes our way.

    Well, I will step off my soap box now and get back to my week:

We taught Big Easy (Shawn) last night and it went really well. He could feel the Spirit, we will have to work on his swearing problem. At the end of the lesson we asked him if he would be baptized and he said YES! He still needs to pray about it though but I know he will get his answer. He really wants the Atonement and to be cleaned of his past and just have a fresh start through baptism. At the end of the lesson he just said, "I feel really good." Yep, that is how a missionary feels all the time. (Well most of the time) Even when people reject our message and a few are rude about it, all I have to do is remember how much the Lord has done for me and that I know the truth. My testimony and knowledge is such a blessing and I am so grateful that I have had the trials that I have had so that I could grow, learn, and come closer to knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior and my best friend.

    Then on Thursday we had a lesson that didn't go great, this lady just did not care at all what we had to say. But after we went over to some apartments and went to see if Emma, a girl that had taken a few of the lessons and we had tried to catch her at home about 5 times already, was home. Well, she pulled up from work just as we got to her apartment. Wow, she was amazing! She asked for a Book of Mormon and said that she was really busy with her last quarter of high school. So she said that she didn't want to get baptized yet. We hadn't even mentioned that. She has had a lot of LDS friends and is dating a member boy that lives on Molokai. She is really awesome, the hard part is just catching her at home.

      Friday: we had Zone Meeting to start off the new transfer. And if you didn't already guess I was not transferred. In the meeting we had to decide names for our District. (A mission is split up into zones and then from there 3-4 districts make up a zone). Lanai and Molokai is my District and these 2 places are known for their hunting; our theme scripture is Jeremiah 16:16 and our name is Molonia Huntahz. I guess you could say we are legit. Ha. We do whatever we can to work on unity.

     Spotlight of the Week: Takeo- we met him by knocking on his door. The question to ask him is where hasn't he been because he has hiked all over the world! He is an ivory carver and he is really good! He makes little plumeria flower earrings and they were beautiful. He also carves wood and showed us walking canes that he has made and then told us where he has traveled with it.  There are so many creative people in this world and I love it all and just wish that I had the time to learn anything and everything! I guess we all have our different talents.

    It is amazing how much the mission has already changed me and I am only 3 months in. Wow, what will 15 more months do... that is crazy/weird to think about.

    Lanai history: last Monday the Kawasakis took Sister Duke and I to Kaunolu Village. It is an ancient village that King Kamehameha took over. All that is left is some stone foundations that were used for houses and then a mound of rocks which was the temple. The coolest part was Kahekili's Leap. There is a gap in between 2 rocks that then just falls off into the Shark's Fin Bay (there is a rock formation in this bay that looks like the fin of a shark). It was really high up and the warriors used to show their bravery by jumping off this cliff. We were surrounded by cliffs so I was just wondering how they got back up. That is if they weren't eaten by sharks first.

    A prayer answered: the other day I was just missing home a bit, not home sick and I just asked that I would be able to have Norma with me throughout the day. Well we went out and plan A and B didn't work, I was a little bummed but still ok. Then I look down and see a beautiful butterfly. I thought of Carly and knew that this was Norma, I knew that God cared and had given me a little miracle.

    Random fact: I now want pikake flowers at my wedding. The other day we stopped by Brandon's and Eren's to drop off some dishes they had let us use and they invited us in and Eren showed us her wedding book and I got lots of ideas that I will be saving in my mind for a later time haha.

    Well, I think that is my week! I love this place and never want to leave. Elohim Tov - God is Good! (Hebrew) Aloha uvau ia oe!

Love Always,

  Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 8- Fasting Works

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

Sister Marshall came from Maui for transfers. She is from Simi
 knows Bryce Hays and Josh and Amanda and maybe Carly.
The sign is how many miles away from home we are

 

So like I said the third person is named Shawn or everyone calls him Big Easy. His boss is a member and called us on Monday and was like guess what happened at work today? Big Easy came in and was said, "Cody, I want to get baptized. How do I do that?" Cody told him that he needed to take the lessons from the Sisters. So we have seen him 2 times since then but it is really hard to set up appointments because he is always working and then when he is off it is hard to find someone to go with us to teach him. He is a really funny, but is going through a hard financial problem right now so we are trying to help him turn to God in prayer when times get rough and to truly have faith in the Lord. The other day we just stopped by to see how he was doing. Well, the door was wide open and he was in the kitchen with just his boxers on making dinner. Um... yep i felt weird knocking on the door and saying Aloha with my head down. haha. His response was, "Oh, look my girlfriends came back!" He comes to the door and then says, "oh, hold on let me go put on some shorts." I was very glad that he did because I was just staring at the ground and yep I felt awkward to say the least. Well, it all went well because we are going to be meeting with him this week. Pray that it will go well.

 

We loved the golf carts :)

      So as you can tell, Sister Duke and I had nothing to do with these people really. They just called us and asked to learn more. It is amazing the power of a fast. I know that sometimes we may not be answered like this but it was an amazing gift from the Lord. He really could do this work of bringing to the gospel on His own but He allows us to play a little part and feel a little piece of the joy that He feels when His children choose to follow Him.

 Me golfing

    My P-day with President Dalton (also known as P-Diddy by some of the missionaries and then the Bradfords, a family here that is really close to the president). Well we went golfing in the morning. Wow- I am so bad at golfing. But it was okay because so was President, well and actually none of us were that great. I learned that President Dalton has been very blessed financially because he bought us all hats from the golf course (wow, I miss hats and beanies) and then we golfed on I think one of the nicest golf courses in the world! After he took us all out to lunch. Then we went up to Cody's barn. (He runs a tour thing with horses, ATVs, shooting guns and archery. It was so fun. Don't worry though there was a spiritual aspect to the day too. That night Brandon received his baptismal interview and he is being baptized this Saturday!!! I am so happy for him and for his family. In his lesson we asked what had changed his mind and he said his family and he asked how long it would take until he could be sealed to them for eternity? Wow, this gospel is amazing and blesses us so stinkin much! Wow, why does God love us so much? I think I will continue to ask this until I die and then I still might ask it. Wow, Thursday was a great day :)

 

 The normal view at every hole of the course. 

    Well we continue to work and to try and be better. The gospel is great. We have a Savior who loves us and is alive again. He has made salvation free to all who choose to follow Him. And that is what He asks all of us to do, "Come, follow me." How do we follow Him? We start with gaining faith in Him, repenting and changing to be better, we are baptized in His name and with His authority, we receive the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion, and we endure to the end. His gospel is simple and it is true. It will bring us the most happiness no matter where we are in life. I know this to be true and I love that it is simple. I love you all and pray for your well being. Emua! (Press Forward) Aloha uvau ia oe!

After atv rides we were so dirty from the dust that flew up!

 

Love Always,

   Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

 

Quote of the week from the Bradfords:

Mom (Tracy), "Brynlee, dont bring the bikes up here

... a few min later the bikes are up

mom "I thought I told you not to bring those up here 

Brynlee, "I thought we didn't hear you" As she rides her bike on the porch.

Week 7- Lanai City, Hawaii (Population: 3,102)

I don't have too much time to write. Maybe about 15 minutes because our other computer isn't working.

We have started to see miracles here on Lanai!!! Fasting works! On Sunday we fasted for specific people and that the work would progress. Then on Monday we had 3 people call us.

First is Brandon, he is a nonmember who is married to a member. They have 2 boys and he has been coming to church for about 7 years but has never really been interested in joining. We had dinner with his family about 2 weeks ago and we shared a video about baptism. He liked it but didn't seem too interested. His wife then told us when she was dropping us off that if he gets baptized, she thinks it will be here on Lanai. (They are moving after the school year). That dinner was the only time we have shared a message with him and then Monday comes and he says he wants to get on the path to baptism. WHAT!!!! The Lord is amazing at preparing people. We didn't do anything the Lord just lets us be a part of this work and lets us taste a bit of the joy He feels when His children choose to follow Him. Brandon is getting baptized next Saturday.
 

Then the second person is Alberta, the lady we farm with every Friday. She has come to church the past 2 weeks but we think it is best to have her immerse herself into the gospel. She always has questions; whether it is about the temple, prophets, Joseph Smith, or the priesthood. The first week she invited herself to church (Sister Duke and I spoke) and then we talked with her while we were at her farm and she asked if we would be speaking again. It was fast and testimony meeting for the upcoming Sunday; so, we explained what that was. Then after she understood she said, "Oh, Okay you have committed me to coming this week." UM... GREAT! we didn't even ask if she wanted to, she just jumped in and said okay I'll be there. Then on Monday she called us and told us that she really liked coming to church and that she didn't realize that a lot of her friends were LDS. She had a really good chat with a Sister in the ward. Then she said she wanted to learn more about the church, and the Book of Mormon. Wow, the Lord is amazing!
 

Yep, we use a plunger to get the papayas down from the trees



Alberta's farm

The third we heard from was a member. He said that his employee wanted to get baptized.  I will explain about him more on Monday!
 

Our Pday was moved because President Dalton came over here and we spent the day with him and the 4 assistants to the president. We did a lot!!! Dad- I golfed on the nicest golf course ever. Google the Challenge at Manele! It is beautiful. I am not the best golfer but hey I have never golfed in my life besides mini golfing. I'd get better if I ever practiced. I'll tell you more on Monday. I'm sorry this is so short.
 

Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Lang