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| Sis. Bonrostro, Aaron Fernandez, and I. (He is our coolest member, he taught me how to box and play the ukulele.) |
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.
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.
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| Starting my goodbyes with the Bradfords |
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.
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"
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| Wow, it's beautiful (the bruising and my tape job haha) |
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.
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
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| Yep that is my first haku. I'm kinda proud of it- not gonna lie! |
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.
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)
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| The first time that I have seen the turkeys in town. |
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Jean Lang
P.S. A local has told me that I am no longer a haole! Biggest compliment ever :)
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