Week 28- Another week!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Well, this week was a pretty normal week, with little miracles, times of frustration that are outweighed by the tender mercies where the Lord helps you learn to laugh. To start off, it is weird to be surrounded by so many other missionaries all the time. We seriously see other missionaries every day... from seeing them a total of 3 times prior to Makakilo and now every day. It's a little much but there are some benefits too.

 

Now for the most important part: the people.

 

We have been working with Brother Autele who is a less active member that is trying to come back to church. He is perfect, we have lessons with him every week and he basically teaches himself. Then I'm about to invite him to read the scriptures everyday as a family and he starts to tell us his daily routine of waking up at 3:30 and taking his kids running and then after their hour run they all grab their scriptures and read them together and discuss them as a family. Wow, ok can you keep doing that? He knows that he needs to be the leader in his family to help them all come back to church. Then he has talked with the Bishop about how he needs a calling. Why is he meeting with us? I love him though he is so happy and positive and just a joy to my day!

 

On Thursday, our District all went over to our Elders area and helped them knock doors for an hour. We ended up knocking on a door, the dogs were barking so she came outside, into this super sweet girl. Her name was Rizel and she said she would really like it if we could pay with her. We talk with her a bit and pray for her. At the end we invite her to learn more and be baptized. She said that she would! Amazing! We introduce her to the Book of Mormon, she loves to read and says she would read it. Then she asks where the church is. She is so great! We didn't see her at church but we gave her number to the Elders who live near her so that they can stay in touch with her!

 

Toilolo Ohana: they are a miracle to me because I feel homesick for Lanai a lot. And the Toilolos make me feel at home all the time. They truly care about the missionaries, they always welcome you in. Unfortunately, I'm still a guest so they won't let me help cook, serve, or clean the dishes. (I will have to break that barrier soon) They had us over for dinner again on Sunday and I love just sitting and playing with the kids. Then, their daughter-in-law, Virgina, taught me the basics of using a fire knife!!!! (how the fire dancers dance) It was so cool. Then, every Sunday, before we eat they all sit down and have a spiritual message. This week, we watched 2 mormon messages and yep I cried at the end of the 2nd (I think it was Mountains to Climb by Elder Erying). Then they had a mini testimony meeting where people could just share their thoughts. They have such a strong family and I love being with their family.

 

Saturday we had been invited to the Samoan Ward picnic and so we were there for the 2nd half of our day. Oh my, it was so much fun. Of course there was so much food and then all of the auxilararies performed some sort of talent. Mainly dancing or some sort of haka! Wow, I love hula and I'm going to learn more of it when I come home.

 

Prayer has been really helpful this week. Prayer has the amaizing ability to just calm me down, to remind me of the greater perspective. I continually have to pray for patience and I know that it has helped because there are situations where I have been able to hold my tongue (which is something I don't always do.) Prayer is my only option when I don't know what to do because I am never alone and I will always have Heavenly Father who will always listen and will always answer.

 

This week I'm grateful for cold showers, for fans, Advil, and my Samoan lava lava. I'm grateful for prayers, for families centered on Jesus Christ, and for hope that Jesus Christ provides. I'm grateful that sometimes things dont turn out the way we think they are supposed to. I'm grateful for eternal families and for the blessings of the temple. Especially as my brother is getting married for time and all eternity to his beautiful fiance. Be strong and carry on. Keep your chin up and when life gets too hard to stand, fall to your knees. I love you all! Te amor! Afa atu! Ete au mai! Aishiteru! Aloha wau ia oe!

 

Love Always,

     Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 27- Change is Hard

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

      Well I have been transfered to the Makakilo Zone on Oahu and am in the Pale Hua Ward. It's really good here but a lot different. I miss Lanai but I know that I have growing here to do but Lanai will always be home for me. 

 

     For the most part Monday and Tuesday I was teaching, packing, and saying goodbye to so many people that I have come to love. I had talked to my District Leader and he told me that I would be leaving Wednesday morning and then I find out from my Zone Leaders that I am leaving Tuesday night. WHAT! Im mad- first they are taking me away and then I think I am the only missionary that is traveling on Tuesday instead of the normal Wednesday. Tuesday night, oh man it was really hard and I cried a lot. I didn't feel the best because of nerves but they made me eat, in other words they were like Sister Lang we are waiting for you to eat first and then we will eat, so I grabbed a little bit of food and then made them eat. Then Brother Seiuli had me stand in front of everyone and anyone that wanted to say anything to me could. There were a lot of people and it made me cry again because I didn't want to leave my new family. Well, I realize that I should be leaving but a few more people wanted to say something so what am I to do... tell them I have no time to hear them? No... so they finish and I hug a few last people and run to the car... speed to the airport and they tell me I can't get on the plane. I'm late by 3 minutes... I can see the plane and the engine has not started or anything... Man I just about broke. The plane left 10 minutes early. All I wanted to do was sit on the curb and cry. I had to catch the first plane out in the morning. I felt so awful. On the bright side I got to see one last sunset in Lanai and have the chance to say goodbye to the island.

 

    Wednesday I flew in to Oahu and was able to see a few of the people I actually have met while on Lanai. I saw Sister Duke and then both my companions from the MTC (Sister Nethercott and Sister Curtis). It was really fun to see people and see how they were doing. Then I met my new companion, Sister Challis from Bountiful, Utah. She is super sweet and humble. 

 

    So my time in Pale Hua has been good. It is super hot here and I am still walking. Though this time it is really hilly and we get to walk up and down all of them and get super sweaty which is super fun and everyday I come home exhausted and only wanting a cool shower. I'm starting to meet a lot of the people, names are still hard but with time I know they will come. To be honest I was a little home sick for Lanai when: 1. there are more cars that pass by in 10 minutes than are even on Lanai and only 2 people wave at you 2. nobody knows who I am 3. we don't get fed as often and we don't have a house that tells us to just come whenever 4. at church all the kids aren't sitting with me asking to see my pictures of Jesus and draw in my journal. At church I wanted to cry because I missed being needed. This ward had it all under countrol everything was in order and routine. Well, Heavenly Father answers even the unspoken prayers because that night we were invited to a dinner (we didn't have a dinner appointment) with the Toilolo family. We were in a tiny apartment and so many kids running around and different families cooking and bringing what they made too (potluck style). The kids were super cute and they all started calling me Auntie (apparently they dont really talk too much to strangers). I loved the choas and the noise and the modge podge of everything and I felt at home again. So for this week, I learned that Heavenly Father answers every prayer!

 

      Im getting to know the people and love everyone that I have met so far. Yes, it is different here but it is also good. Yes, very good. I'll have more stories next week with people. Olofa atu. Mahal kita. Aishiteru (Japanese). I love you. Te amor. Ete au mai. (Tahitian) Aloha wae ia oe.

 

Love Always

    Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 26- The Positive Outlook: When One Door Closes Another One Opens

Sis. Bonrostro, Aaron Fernandez, and I.  (He is our coolest
member, he taught me how to box and play the ukulele.)

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Well, this week the work was really slow. And up in the air with schedules trying to make everything work out. Oh my last Monday- we found out that Shaun (Big Easy) was released from work. We went over to his house to see how he was and he was pretty beaten down and sad. We shared scriptures with him and jammed on the ukelele. Then we discovered that he has to leave within 48 hours so we had a little goodbye dinner with him and a few people from the branch on Tuesday. Man, I hated having to say goodbye to him.
 

 



Starting my goodbyes with the Bradfords

Tuesday- We were able to have a lesson with James who is super cool and just loves to talk to us and ask questions and never thinks anything is out of his reach. We helped him start reading the Book of Mormon and when we started reading he said that he feels like he can just understand this book and that he can see it all playing out for him like a movie in his mind. The miracle of the Book of Mormon- Heavenly Father will always help those who have the desire to understand it. After our lesson we went to the Bradfords' because they are leaving for a month to go to the mainland and I might not be here when they come back so I went to say goodbye. When I told them... oh man, everyone had some tears. Brett was the first to give me a hug and man, when he started crying I couldn't help it... it was down hill from there. It's so hard to have to leave people that have become my family. As a missionary we leave our families behind and come to different places to find a new one that welcomes you in as your own. Shoot- goodbyes even for a time are the worst! Later that night at Relief Society Enrichment Night I made my first haku ( those hair pieces that either have flowers or leaves in it ) and it turned out really good I was proud of myself and have decided that I will make one for my wedding in the distant future haha.  Afterwards we went over to our member's house and had our last dinner with Shaun. Maybe I will be able to see him if I ever go to big island. It is hard to say goodbye to people.
 

Wednesday- Ben Samonte calls us (the less active), he had left the day before. He tells us that while he was on the plane he read 25 chapters of the Book of Mormon and was loving it. Once again the Book of Mormon pulls through and brings forth another miracle! He loves it and I am trying to figure out exactly where in San Diego he is so he can go to church and meet the missionaries there! It amazes me how much people love the missionaries because we were the first people Ben called when he found out he was a grandpa, he came to say goodbye to me, he told us about the Book of Mormon, and he texts us every so often to see how we are! Wow, I can't believe or understand why so many people love us. We are just normal people walking around a foreign town, with frilly skirts smiling at everyone; but, people really do love the missionaries. 

 



Wow, it's beautiful
(the bruising and my tape job haha)

Thursday- Some people know this about me but I love bruises, no I don't do things just to obtain one but when I do get one- wow are they beautiful... I was playing basketball and no cool story and I was chasing a ball (also I run on my toes), get the ball, go to turn, and whoops out goes my ankle. Yep it hurt, yep I rolled it, yep its fat and swollen, and yep its bruising and it is beautiful! (Then the stupid things my pride makes me do- I walk it off, lace up my laces even tighter, and keep playing for a bit then I notice it is swelling pretty bad so I call it quits) Thanks to my mom who sent me a bunch of athletic tape just for this moment so I could tape my ankle and walk the rest of the day with a slight limp. It is still swollen a bit and the bruise is still there, and yep my companion thinks I'm crazy because I will just look at it and say, "Wow, its beautiful"

 

Friday- we helped Alberta farm. Then we went down to Manele because the Branch was having a potluck for the Makawo Boy Scouts who came to Lanai for the camp out... Wow, dad we should have lived in Hawaii so that when you did camp outs they were in places like this... It was really fun to spend the evening with the boy scouts and with our branch! I also tried venison (deer) in a new way and it was super good, so far I haven't had venison I haven't liked.
 

Saturday- we finally were able to meet our mission president! President Warner, Sister Warner and 2 of the Assistants to the President came and we had an unofficial interview/ getting to know each other. He talked about how he thinks it is really important that the missionaries gain the trust of the people in their areas and that he thinks it is best that people stay in their areas for longer periods of time. Then he asks me, "Hypothetically, how would you feel about serving your whole mission here?" me- "That would be a dream come true. I never want to leave Lanai!" He laughs and goes on making it sound that I will be staying. We go down to Manele and see our baptismal pond then on the way back up he is still talking about how it is so good that we know so many people and building it up that I will be staying. Then, I ask if we can find out for sure if we are going to be staying? because if I'm not then I need to let the branch know because they will want me to bear my testimony one last time. He starts to thumb through his papers and says that I'm not on the lists he brought and turns to the Assistants and ask if they remember what is going on. They do and as I am driving they say, "Sister Bonrostro you are staying" whoo, and claps... "Sister Lang... (in a quiet voice) you're leaving." Silence- if the tears weren't already in my eyes maybe I could have mustered a cricket noise - but no, as soon as I heard those words my heart dropped and my face fell. I knew this was coming, I could feel it, but that doesn't mean I want it or that it is easy. Ever since, tears well up pretty often and everything just is kinda numb. 

 



Yep that is my first haku.  I'm kinda proud of it- not gonna lie!

On a happier note, that night we went to dinner at Koele (one of the hotels) and it was super nice and super yummy. Wow, when you eat really good food you cant help but smile and boy we were all smiling. We went with our Branch President's family 

 

Sunday- I played the piano for the opening song for Sacrament! I was so nervous, I messed up a lot, my hands were shaking, and I never want to do it again. 1. I haven't played the piano in years 2. I don't play in front of people 3. Never in my life have people sung along with me. Wow, I didn't like it! I did realize that it is an amazing talent to be able to play the piano, one that I will try harder to develop when I go home. Then I had the last testimony and yep I cried. I feel like crying is just going to be a norm for the next few days. Taught my last lesson for Sunday School. Helped out in the Primary, once again playing the piano (right hand only so it is easier) plus I feel like kids are more forgiving, so they don't make me as nervous. Then, the rest of the day was spent visiting people and telling them that I am leaving and sharing messages with them. We were able to see Sister Alconsel a less active, and every time we go over and share a message she tears up. She knows it is true but she has a hard time being a leader in her family. We talked about Lehi's dream and how he had to go first and then beckon to his family to follow his example and how she might have to be the example for her family to follow. Oh man, I cried at her house too when I thought about the first time I gutted and cleaned fish with her, supporting her sons in their basketball games, and experiencing my first imu at her house. So many people that I love so much! 

 

That night I found out that I am leaving Tuesday night! What! Sister Duke left Wednesday morning! I hate goodbyes and I hate having to leave. I know I will be back but life moves forward and the past can never be replicated. 

 



The first time that I have seen the turkeys in town.

Sometimes I wish life could just be paused. I think of the bus ride in Jerusalem when we were coming home and just crying because an amazing chapter in my life was closing and I didn't want it to. That is how I feel about Lanai, though I know that coming to Hawaii is a bit easier than going back to Israel. All I know is that I am so incredibly blessed to have been here for so long. I don't know why God loves me so much, but I know that He loves me. I know that a part of my heart will always be here on Lanai (to be honest I am kinda possessive over this island). It's amazing how one little heart can love so much. I'm sad to leave but life moves forward and I know that God is Good Always and so right now I need to trust and walk forward to whatever He has in store for my next chapter of life. I love the people of Lanai, I love the people back home, I love my family, I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love the gospel and I live a charmed life and am so grateful for that. I love you. Te amor, Mahal kita. Aloha uwau ia oe! (my last from Lanai)

 

Love Always,

   Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

P.S. A local has told me that I am no longer a haole! Biggest compliment ever :)




 

Week 25- Pineapple Festival Fun!

Pineapple Festival Parade

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Well this week was crazy! not because it was July 4th but because it was the Pineapple Festival this Friday and Saturday. On Lanai it is a bit different- for this festival all of the classes have their class reunions during this festival so there were a lot of faces that I didn't recognize but it was super fun. I'll talk about it more in a bit. 

 

Ben - he has been inactive since he was 9 and he is now in his 60s and absolutely loves us! We have asked about him to some of our members and they all say that he is the last person that they expect to walk through our chapel doors. Well, guess who has come the past 2 weeks... YEP Ben!!! Oh my he is amazing! We were able to introduce him to the Book of Mormon because he didn't really know too much about it before he stopped coming to church. He loves having us over for dinner and talking story with us. He has so many stories. Sadly he is going to San Diego tomorrow because his daughter just had his first granddaughter; so, we won't be able to see him but we will be keeping in contact with him while he is gone and maybe he will be able to go to church on the mainland. 

 



My favorite float.  I want a car like that!

On Wednesday, the Sisters from Lahaina came and we did splits and were able to get a lot done which was nice. We saw some miracles from it as well. We were able to see a less active family and share a message and they admitted that they feel like they are ready to come back to church. Now, we just have to help them put their desire into action. Then we also were able to meet with a girl that has been coming to church for a few weeks now and she is interested in learning more about the church. 

 




Fireworks!

July 4th- well because of the Pineapple Festival there were no fire works here. Also July 4th isn't very big in Hawaii. We did however drive up to the mountain and looked out across the channel to see Lahaina's fireworks. They were super small the size of my nail from how far away we were. Also, Shauna and Michael Kawasaki who I had to say goodbye to in March are back!!! We had a welcome back dinner with them and it was so much fun to see them again. After dinner, a young boy that has been here with his grandparents for the past month lit off his little fireworks and it was really fun! Different but fun. And I remembered that last year I was in Provo watching the fireworks and saying goodbye to Carly (Hermana Lang) as she went into the Missionary Training Center for her own mission. Wow, she is making a year this week and I am making 6 months next week... time is going by way too quick! 

 



Yep, I love hula dancing and I am going
to continue learning how to do it!

Friday started the some of the Festivities. We were able to get in contact with an investigator who we hadn't seen in awhile, Lucky. We were able to have a lesson with him and he has so many questions and is so amazing. Ever time we teach him he is so open and willing to listen! He is going to try and get work off for next week Sunday. 

 

Then we were also able to see Trisha, she has been coming to church for a while now. She admitted that she is noticing a difference when she goes to church and when she doesn't. She is a super sweet girl and is really open to keep learning. 

 



Brother Samonte and I.  He came and
said goodbye to us and gave us leis.

Basically, Lanai has so much potential and it is so exciting to see the work picking up here. So for the Pineapple Festival we watched the parade in the morning with the Seiuli family. The parade consisted of each class designing a float.  Some of them were super cool! Then later that night we went back for dinner and different people had little shops that they had set up selling different trinkets like shirts, jewlery, or hair flowers. The cool part is I knew all the people working so I could just go talk to everyone. Then there was also a booth for the Houkuleia, which is a boat that is made in the old fashion style and it is going to sail around the whole world promoting giving back to the earth. They wont have any electronics all of their navigating is done by the stars. It is so interesting! I wish we were able to go onto it when it was harbored in Manele Bay. Then we ate at Ben Samonte's booth because he had given us tickets to eat his food. There was music and fun stuff that we walked around and did. Then the fireworks began and they were super good. We saw so many people and were able to spend time with a lot of the members. It truly was a blast!


 

Sis. Bonrostro, Elaine, and I.  The sunset was beautiful!

Well, I think that is it for my week here. I'm so blessed to be here on Lanai and to have a family on this island! I hope that I can stay longer... I'll find out this coming week. Aloha uwau ia oe.

 

Love Always, 

Sister Cassidy Jean Lang





 

Week 24- Oh me of little faith

Even little kids plank



Golfing

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

All the guys before we go UTV

     Ok from last week a bit of catch up. Our mission president, President Dalton, Sister Dalton and the 4 assistants to the president came over to Lanai to spend our day off with us. Well it was super fun! We picked them up from the airport with a member's borrowed car because we don't have one. Grabbed a quick breakfast at the gas station because that is the only place that is quick. Then we headed down to golf. Yes at the Challenge at Manelle! Every time, it sweeps me off my feet and it is so beautiful. My golfing skills have gotten better. A member is super good and she has been helping Sister Bonrostro and I learn how to drive so we could be decent when President came. Well, we did pretty well for my second time in my life golfing. Highlights: chasing turkeys in our golf carts, almost falling out because I was trying to pick up a golf ball, Sister Bonrostro hit her golf ball and got in the Elders' cart as they were driving away, and President Dalton pranking the Elders by loosening up the straps that keep the cadies attached to the carts. After golfing we had lunch at Blue Gingers and then went on UTVs (aka golf carts on steroids) up at the stables. We shot bow and arrows and it was super fun! Come back to find out that we have lost track of time and should have already left for the airport. Whoops! Don't worry we made it there on time (and I kept mission rules by not speeding) It was sad to see them go but I realized how lucky I am to be on the Mission President's favorite island and to spend his last hurrah before he went home. He is now back home in California and I will miss him; but, I am excited to get to know President Warner and his wife. 

 

The best pic ever because we all did funny faces :)

 

 

 

        We had some really good lessons with James. We were able to catch him at home and he loves meeting with us but struggles with the feeling the importance of coming to church. But he wants us to keep coming back because he says he loves learning all he can about religions so he can know which one to join.

 

 

 

        On Sunday, we had about 75 which is super good for sacrament meeting. A lot of less actives came to church and it was so good. I only pray that they will keep coming and understand that the Atonement is for everyone and can help them with everything. Alberta was confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost and then welcomed into the ward. We taught our class, I'm not really sure what to call it because it includes the youth, and then the recent converts too. Sister Bonrostro has decided that we are going to teach them about the Book of Mormon so this week was about 1 Nephi 1-7 and it was really good because they are now learning from the scriptures themselves and not just having to listen to me go on and on about stuff. Then we also taught Primary and it was so much fun! We taught them about missionary work. Sister Bonrostro and I had to get a bit creative and we made them little "Future Missionary" name tags out of note cards, black marker, white out and packing tape. They were super cute and then we gave one for each of the kids to wear. We taught them how they too could be missionaries now and they were angels (hyper angels but angels haha) We taught them "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission" and I played the piano... God helps you out a lot when you have a righteous desire because I am not very good at the piano and I have NEVER in my life played with people singing along. Plus I only played the right hand to make it easier for me. I still messed up but the kids are forgiving thankfully. After we played Missionary Tag. Afterwards a few of the kids came up and asked if they could take an extra tag for their sibling or for their friends. Wow kids are so amazing and I love them so much!



 

        Alberta's baptism was the cherry on top of a Christ filled week. Oh my there are just not words to describe. I wish we could have videoed her baptism because it belongs in a movie, no joke. Ok, I'll try my best to paint the scene for you. Wake up and get everything ready for the baptism program at 8. We start a little late (normal Hawaiian time) and the program goes smoothly. We have a song, prayer, a talk on baptism, a talk on the Holy Ghost and then we invite everyone to come with us down to the beach for the baptism ordinance. We caravan down and we do it early-ish to avoid tourists and generally the waves are calmer. It looks like a beautiful day, a bit overcast, with a slight breeze. We get closer, park the car and start to walk towards our pond/ tide pool where we baptize. The ocean comes into view and lo and behold the waves are CRAZY! The tide pool is gone and flooding, and being crashed on by 8 foot waves. I'm freaking out on the inside but trying to have a dignified calm expression on the outside. I'm sure I did an awful job at trying to remain calm. All these thoughts of, "What if Alberta is scared and postpones her baptism?" Oh dear what can be done? I see our Branch President ( a certified lifeguard) rolling up his pants, taking off his tie, shoes, phone and glasses just incase he has to jump in and save someone. Another member is rolling up his pants so he can be of quick assistance. I find our High Counselor and ask, "Is there a blessing that can be given on the water?" He replies, "I just gave it." Alberta is handling this loads better than me and walks down the steps to the tide pool, waits for a wave to crash and dives in. Wow- nothing is stopping her. Wow- Sister Lang where is you faith? Alberta stole it but hey if anyone was going to have it, I'm glad it was her. Johnny Seiuli (the one who was going to baptize Alberta) sees Alberta's faith and jumps in after. From up top a person yells swim to the right and back its shallower over there. Wait until after these 2 waves and then it should be calmer. They wait for the 2 waves and then it is a lot calmer, still a bit chaotic, and President Seiuli is practically yelling the baptismal prayer. Alberta is baptized and it was so beautiful and she looks so beautiful! Some pictures were taken, we closed with a song and a prayer and then a potluck of course! (the reason I'm gaining weight haha). We ended up staying down at the beach for awhile visiting with our members and just enjoying their love and being a part of their families! 





I want a Samoan baby!!!  TAMA
I want to take him with me so bad!

Typical potluck and the bbq lunch

      Some firsts: I was officially told that I was fat :( I went home and ate chocolate. Exact words, "Ya, Sister Lang came here and she was so skinny and now look at what Lanai has done to her." Don't worry I laugh about it and then cry :P (I'll lose it later) I can play the ukulele now! (just a few songs like 'You are my sunshine', a Hawaiian song I don't know the name but if I play it someone will start to sing to it.)

 

       Hawaiian Words: Good morning- Aloha kakahiaka.

 

The branch

    Well, I think that is all for me! I love this work. I love Lanai. I love the people! I love being a missionary. I love backwards hats! Surprisingly, I love getting up early! I love having my own island. I love being welcomed into the culture here and becoming a part of the families here. I love the Lord and Jesus Christ. I love after baptism smiles because they are glowing. I love the scriptures. I love crying because the Holy Ghost is there. I love learning how to play 'Be Still My Soul' on the ukulele. I love my family. I love tender mercies. I love love! AND I love you! Mahal kita! Aloha wau ia oe! 

A member made those hair pieces for us... they are beautiful!

Love Always, 

    Sister Cassidy Lang