Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
Well we started off the week super great- we had a Family Home Evening at a member's house who then invited a less-active family and a part-member family to come and have dinner and then we were able to share a lesson with all of them. We were able to teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how no matter at what stage of our life we always need to be building our faith and taking steps to be closer to Jesus Christ. It went really well and then the less-active family was able to share their conversion story and then talk about how since they have started coming back they can feel the difference in their life again.
We are still working with a less-active family and this week we were able to help them out through service. They were selling lunch plates and we went over and helped put them together. Then while we were walitng for people to pick them up we were able to talk to the girls and find out that some times they feel left out of church because they don't know the stories so we were able to read a chapter of the Book of Mormon with them which was really good and now when we go over througout the week we are going to read with them and hopefully they will start coming to church more regurlarly.
Highlight of this week... Raymond was baptized on Saturday September 14! It was such a beautiful baptism. There wasn't a ton of people but there was enough and the ones who came were the ones that needed to be there. My heart broke when we went to pick him up and he told us that his parents didn't want to come. We went up and talked with them and they once again declined our invitation to come to their own son's baptism. They are fine with him being baptized but they didn't want to come support him. But Raymond was amazing and still wanted to get baptized. It was a spirit-filled program. A talk on baptism where she demonstrated our sins being washed away with food coloring and then bleach and then a young man that is friends with Raymond baptized him and then all 4 of us sisters sang a medley of 'Baptism' and 'When I am Baptized' and it was beautiful. Raymond felt the spirit and so did everyone else that came. There were so many leis, smiles, and hugs. Yes I am sad that Raymond's family did not come to his baptism but I also realized that he has a whole ward family who loves him and will take car of him when my time comes and I have to leave. I feel so blessed to have the example of a young man's strength in doing what is right even if it means doing it on your own. I truly have come to love Raymond and see him as a younger brother.
Then Sunday, I woke up to balloons being thrown at me and the sisters climbing on me to sing me happy birthday! It was the best birthday ever. We had a good missionary meeting and then we come home for lunch. Then the twins (Sierra and Shayanee) and Kaytlyn come up to our door and ask if they can have a lesson. We were able to teach them about the finding faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Then after we were able to take all 3 of them to church with us and it was so good. They love coming to church. After church the twins told us that their family is looking for a church to all join and they said that they hope their family comes to our church. They are going to invite their parents to learn more about the church. Also, Church was great because Raymond was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and received the Holy Ghost and given an amazing blessing by the Young Men's president. For Raymond everything is perfect he has so many people looking out for him and taking him under their wings. After church, one of my favorite families had us over for a birthday dinner. Prior to the dinner we were able to have a lesson with Renuma- she is still doing good but she is wavering a little. She loves church but chores come first. We are trying to figure out what she needs. But it was good for her because then she came to dinner with us with the Toilolo family which was a good way for her to get to know and become friends with members of the church. We ate dinner, had a little lesson with everyone and then had the best homemade cake ever with this super good peanut butter frosting! Yummy- I think I could have eaten the whole cake by myself but I refrained haha. After we played a few games that were super fun. I can't imagine a better day- being able to do the Lord's work, eat great food, play games, laugh, smile, and be surrounded by my families away from home. I just looked around the room and wanted to cry because I was so happy. Did I miss my family- of course! Did I wish they were there- of course! But if I can't have them then I'll make my own families where ever I go.
I love the Lord. I am a year older and wiser now. Weird 21... I'm so blessed to be on a mission and to see miracles every day. God is good always. And this week God gave me a family to be mine. I was able to see Raymond, another one of God's children come unto Him through baptism. I was humbled as I saw others love me in return. I know I am not perfect, but for some reason He continues to bless all of my efforts whether they are successful or not. I am nothing without my God. 2 Nephi 22:2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation." I pray for you all! I love this work. There is nowhere else I would rather be. God is good always. God is the coincidences in life. He makes all the pieces fit together and blesses me so much. I lived a charmed life. I love you! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Mahal kita! Aishitiru! Aloha ia te oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Jean Lang
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