Week 80 - Choke Dakine Aloha (I think this roughly translates to “a lot of mixed emotions about leaving”) - July 29, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Hoaloha!!!!

    This is my last email home and to be honest I dont really want to write... I guess I am in denial. Here are just a few thoughts of the last week and 18 months.... basically i am just scatter brained and organizing my thoughts sounds like too much effort so I hope you enjoy and understand: 

   Sunday I was asked to give a missionary moment right before church started - of course I said yes. I tried to keep it brief, and i dont remember exactly what I said. I know I used Romans 5:19 about how our obedience is what brings people into the gospel. Then I talked about how being a member is who we are and should not be compartmentalized into different sections of our lives. Then I talked about the temple and how that is where we are meant to be and baptism is just the gate to take us there. 

    They sang aloha oe to me and a young woman who is moving to the other side of the island - I was good until half way through the song and then the tears came. I looked out and saw so many faces that are my family. A lot of wet eyes in the congregation. I feel so lucky that I was able to serve in Hawaii. I am so blessed to have stayed in Kalaheo for 9 months (half of my mission). I live a charmed life and the secret to it is to always trust in the Lord. Hard times come - but they always go if we put the Lord first, trust, and start walking the way that He did. 

   So many times throughout my mission I had people tell me no thanks to the message we had to share but then would comment about how members of our church seemed to always be truly living what they believed. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that doesn't mean I just go to church on Sundays. It means I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I am trying my best to do as He would do. I am not perfect or close to it. I have my struggles, my weaknesses, and my sins that I have to work with; but it is just that, work! My religion is a part of who I am and it is a part of every aspect of my life. I am not just a follower when its conve

nient, or when I am around my family; I am a follower because that is me.  

      I feel a lot like I did leaving home. Excited for the new adventure; scared because I dont know the future; ecstatic to see my family and friends; sad to leave the home I have here. It doesn't feel real. I keep saying goodbye but I feel like I will see them next week. It hasn’t hit yet. I hope it never does. 

      I am so very grateful to my Heavenly Father who loves me so much and made a mission be apart of the plan that He has for me. I love this gospel with all of my heart. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that it is only through Him that we are brought back to live with our father in heaven. It is through His sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross that we can be forgiven. All of the guilt, sorrow, and pain that comes in this life can be taken away as we turn to Him; as we take upon ourselves His yoke for it is light. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children - He tells us it every day if we would only open our eyes and see the miracles all around us. Most of the time its the small things that He has placed in our path to make us smile. For me - He gives me sunsets; little voices, "Bye Sister Lang"; or cool breezes that smell like the ocean. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and gave his life to restore the gospel back to the earth after it had been lost. He sealed his work with his blood as he was martyred. The Book of Mormon proves his work and it is truly God's words. I know it with all of my heart because I can feel it. It overpowers and calms my fears - leaving me sanctified. God is good always. Eloheem Tov Taneem. He continues to show me how good life can be when we hand it over to Him. I love to love! With that this is my last time- I love you! Aishiteru! (Japanese) Poake poake yuk! (Pohnpeian) Narong secom! (Croatian) Sarong haeo! (Korean) Ofa atu! (Tongan) Alofa iate oe! (Samoan) Te amo! (Spanish) Mahal kita! (Tagolic) Aloha wau ia oe! (Hawaiian) 

    Love Always,

       Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 79 - Its the Final Count Down... - July 21, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Hoaloha, 

    This week was amaizng! I realize that my time is growing shorter and it doesnt' seem real... I will focus on just a few of the highlights this week that helped me know that God loves me so much! 

    We had a ward activity- Softball game- finally something I am good at. As a missionary- I feel like if you dont have musical talents it is hard to show what you are good at. For me I have always been sporty but playing softball and soccer in a skirt isnt always the best look. So, we organized the softball game and it was so much fun. We had a lot of people come. A good amount of nonmembers, kids, adults, and some old timers joined in. I was able to teach a 7 year old how to throw and catch a ball and by the end he was doing really good! Pitched an inning and just had so much fun doing what I love! Missionary work can be incorporated into anything! It was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father to just let me have that moment. 

softball game!

    This week the youth in the stake were able to go to the temple. We had 4 Marshallese recent converts all go from the Erakdrik family. They were so excited and we were able to talk to them the day after. Hearing about their experiences truly strengthened my love and testimony of the temple. One of the girls as we asked her about it said, "I felt like I was in heaven because everyone was wearing white and it was so beautiful. All I felt was peaceful and happy. I didn't think about anything else." I realized that I haven't been to the temple in 9 months. Prior to the mission I would go every week and I miss it. As the girl was talking I could just feel the Spirit so strong and kept getting chicken skin! I was reading this morning and came across a scripture in 3 Nephi 20:35-37, "The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.  And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself form the bands of they neck, O captive daughters of Zion." Heavenly Father has made the temple open to all who are willing to cleanse themselves. The temple is to strengthen us, purify us, and to help us find peace. We are to shake off the dust and trials of the word and arise to the temple and that is where we are meant to sit down and stay. We are not meant to stay in sin and hardship but to learn from it and to ascend to higher ground- to the temple where we find heaven on earth. 

NG's baptism

    Along with the temple we had NG's baptism. It was so beautiful. One of our recent converts who had been struggling was able to get back on his feet the past month and was able to be worthy to baptize his cousin. It was such a beautiful baptism- I was able to give the Missionary Message and I usually choose the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but those didn't feel right. I ended up talking about the temple; a lot of what I talked about above. That is where Heavenly Father wants us- baptism is amazing but it truly is just the start of our path towards Heavenly Father. I tasted what it must be like for the people that live on the islands or not near a temple- I see the struggles that they have because they miss it so bad but cannot go because they do not have the means to purchase a flight. My heart aches for them because they love the temple too, and the saying goes, "Out of sight out of mind." The temple is out of reach for many but they have found ways to keep it always in their sight and thus in their minds. I am amazed at the strength of people who go through so much but continue to press forward with hope and love. I have found so many people that I want to be like because they truly try their best to follow in our Savior's footsteps. 

    I know with all of my heart that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us all because we are His children. I know that the world seems at unrest at times but He knows and He has provided a place of rest for us- that is the hope that comes from living a Christ centered life. The temple is where we are meant to be- He has given us all of the tools we need to get there. We can build our faith, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us continue along our paths. We have the Book of Mormon, which is God's words and scripture, the proper authority called Priesthood, which has been restored to Joseph Smith and passed down, and we have access to the Atonement that Jesus Christ performed to make all of this possible. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains that fullness of the gospel and is established by Jesus Christ! I love the gospel and want it to direct my path always. I love you all and pray for your success. Mahal kita! Poake paoke yuk! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Noka muna quiqui! Narong secom! Te amo! Arohanui! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

    Love Always,

        Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 78 - 3.. 2.. 1.. AHHHHH!!!!! - July 14, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

      Well the time has flown by yet again! Even Sister Harris has noticed - so it’s not just me :) I feel like this week has been a blurr and that everything has mushed together so I will talk about the stuff that stands out in my mind:     

 Sister Harris birthday was last monday. I learned how to make German Chocolate cake and it was super good! Then I took her for a tour and showed her some of my favorite spots here! It was beautiful day. That night Doresty had us over to celebrate! They sang and danced and just shared their culture and it was so much fun :) I really love them so much. 

I made her those!

    On Tuesday we had exchanges and I went to Hanalei with Sister Haws (my old companion from Palehua) It was so much fun! We were both able to see how much we had grown since the last time that we had physiclally served around eachother. We met some amazing people and were able to have some really unexpected spiritual moments. One that will stick out in my mind forever is we knocked on a door of a man that they had met just on the streets a few times. He opens the door and has tatoos every where and 3 peircings on his face - I am sad to say that at first glance I judged and didn’t think this would go anywhere. We stayed and talked - soon the appearance faded and I was able to see him the way that Heavenly Father sees him - a child of God. He truly believed in God and in his Savior, Jesus Christ! He cursed like a sailor but then he listened. We bore simple testimonies of the restored gospel and how Joseph Smith had been called of God to be the prophet to bring back the same church that Jesus Christ had established with the proper authority. Then we invited him to find out for himself. He had read parts of the Book of Mormon but accepted the invitation to read it again. We invited him to pray about it - but, the prayer would only work if he was willing to completely follow what the Lord told him was truth. He thought about it and realized that if he found the truth he would follow it. He also agreed to come to church. To me, he was a miracle. Man looks on the outward appearance; but, God looks on the soul.  

 beautiful hanalei

    Timmy is a less active that has not showed too much interest in coming back until we started teaching his cousin, NG (getting baptized this Saturday). Timmy started sitting in the lessons with us and then has been reading with NG as well. We asked him the other week why he didn’t come to church and he said that he didn’t like having to wear pants and a tie. Um if that is the only reason - wear whatever you want. It is more important that you come wearing a nice shirt than not come. Well, he has come every week since in a collared polo and black shorts. He is 17 and remembered his older brother baptizing people and wanted to know if he could do the same thing. We told him he would have to work for it and to talk to the Bishop to know what he needed to do.Yesterday, he met with the Bishop for the 3rd time and he is set to baptize NG this Saturday and we are so excited! Sometimes we forget what is truly important because we put all sorts of little things infront of it. We go to church to partake of the sacrament- not to show off our nice clothes. 

    Well, that is what has stuck out to me this past week. I want to leave here with no regrets, with a smile on my face, and changed. Something that has been on my mind of late is, "Love is the Essence of the Gospel" by President Thomas Monson. Christ is our example and He did everything out of love. When I allow Christ into my heart I am amazed at how many people I can love. When I left Lanai I thought that I would never love my areas as much. As I met the man in Hanalei - I cam to love him. As I think of leaving here my heart breaks because I love these people so much. I find so much joy with them and cry with them when they call and voice their trials. A phone call ends and I offer a teary prayer because I love them so much and hope that they will go to the source of answers, comfort, truth and peace and that is to our Father in Heaven. As we allow Jesus Christ's atonement to heal us we expand. As I partook of the sacrament the other day I thought of the words, "blessed and brake" of how Christ performed the last supper. Every week I come to Him and leave feeling blessed. Then throu

ghout the week my heart breaks. Why? He knew what lay in the week and knew i would need healing - He blessed and gave me the strength to carry on even when I break. For that I love Him and continue to learn to love His children. With that I love you all! Mahal kita! Aishiteru! Ofa atu! Te amo! Narong secolm! Poake poake yuk! Alofa iate oe! Yokwe yuk! Arohanui! Aloha wau ia oe! 

where I took sister Harris for her birthday

    Love Always, 

       Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 77 - Pieces of heaven! - July 7, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

    I feel like it was just yesterday that I was emailing... wow is the time flying by!  I feel like it is just zipping by! I guess all I can do is pray and enjoy the rollercoaster :)  I am trying my best to catch all the moments before they pass me by and then trying to just truly enjoy this work because I know I will never be involved in it like I am now. This week had some awesome moments the first starting last Monday - we did a family home evening with Doresty and her family, the Langu family and the Erakdrik family.  It was a lot more than I was expecting but it was so much fun and we made it work :) So all of these people have been given scriptures that sometimes get left around or pages bent and just not well kept; so, Sister Harris and I had the idea to help them make their own scripture cases because money to buy them all cases was kinda out of any of our budgets. So we learned about how important the scriptures are and how we should respect them as the word of God. Then we took boxes we had collected and sized them to fit the scriptures, had colorful ducktape to keep the sides together, we had them color in CTR (choose the right) shield, old church magazines that they could find pictures or words they liked and then with packing tape we got those on too! I hope those instructions made sense. They turned out so cute! My favorite part was helping the little 5 year olds tape on the pictures they liked and then looking up to see the 50 year olds laughing and finding pictures and taping them onto their own box. It was just a moment where I looked around the room and found a piece of heaven! 

     We had zone meeting this week and it was really good. I left feeling very uplifted which is not always the case but I really liked the topics and training we were given. Anyways, right after we were able to go and see Zana at the church and she is just so amazing. It was a really good lesson, I feel like we were able to understand some of the roots of her concerns. She is still praying about baptism - she wants this to all be true but she is struggling letting Christ in to heal her from her past. We talked about some of the questions and doubts that she has.Then at the end she said the closing prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for the two girls in front of her (us) and that we have become her friends. Another moment where it feels like heaven. Sometimes as a missionary, or at least for me, I love these people so much and only hope that they love us back! When they do it is such a great feeling :)

     So last week Pono brought two friends with him to church and we were able to meet them and then Pono brought one with him to his lesson this past week. We were able to teach his friend about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong as we all talked and Pono told his friend how much he loved what he had been learning and the decision he made to be baptized and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The friend wants to be baptized! Unfortunately, he leaves today for Oahu so I guess missionaries there will get to teach him more. I guess its only fair since Pono was referred to us by some missionaries on Oahu. 

     Sad moment of the week was when I had my last interview with President Warner on July 4th. It was a bitter sweet moment of knowing that I have done the best that I could and have loved it so much and am so excited to go home but also sad that it is ending; everything is changing. The sad fact of life is that it is always changing, we just have to enjoy all the changes and different opportunities we are given. To celebrate the 4th we went to Poipu with the Marshallese families and played volleyball and had sparklers with them. I just love how much they laugh and smile! Their hearts are so pure. I find it so ironic that here I am surrounded by all of these islanders and I am the only white one; yet, I feel at home and wouldn’t want it any other way. Family is who you make it to be. I left home with what I thought was big family; now I am close to coming home and my family has grown drastically! Not a bad week when you find all of these little peices of heaven! 

     Life is full, my heart is bursting and its the oddest feeling; but one that I never want to lose. I dont know what to feel anymore so I just feel and I like it this way. Im continuing to work, to laugh, and to love!  I love the people here. I love you back home! And I know that God is good always!  Anij ej emman aloep iien! (marshallese) Ofa atu! Arohanui! Poake poake yuk! Aishiteru! Alofa iate oe! Narong seiho! Mahal kita! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia te oe! 

    Love Always,

         Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 76 - Reaching Higher! - June 30, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

    Well this week started off slow and then really picked up by the end of the week. We worked really hard and were able to improve and reach almost all of our goals. We are getting things rolling but it still requires patience and so much prayer. So some really good things that happened this week. 

from the very top

    Zana we were able to see her this week and we had a really good lesson about the Plan of Salvation. It was really good we were able to bring a member with us that knows both her and the guy she is dating. She is reading the Book of Mormon and likes it. She wants to give this a try and see where it takes her. She has really enjoyed what she has learned so far and we are hoping to be able to have her with a baptism date to start working for. She just wants to find happiness and peace for herself and for her daughter. She is trying to request Sundays off so then she can come. 

     NG- is a 12 year old boy who is living here for the summer with one of our recently baptized families. He has come to church with them the past 2 Sundays and so we started teaching him this past week and he is so good. He really wants to be baptized and it was perfect because his uncle was actually baptized on Saturday so he was able to come and see that and he really liked and and felt that it was what he wanted! Sometimes it is hard to teach him because then his cousins come and they aren't always able to stay on topic but it sure is fun with all of them. I love them a lot and we laugh and try our best to stay focused; or one of us will distract the other kids while the other one is teaching. We are working for the July 19th! And then we got permission from the mom by having the Elders in that area go by and see his family. Now his little brother wants to get baptized too!!!! It would be so cool if they could get baptized together!  He is so good and I am just amazed at how kids are soo good at understanding the Spirit! 

our hike last week

     One day this week we spent a lot of time going and seeing less active members and they were awesome. Sister Harris was perfect! She was able to connect with them and had a lot of similar experiences with the members we were able to see. She was a miracle that day to me! I really love Sister Harris - we laugh a lot and she wants to work hard :) And then of course we are trying to get better at our pigeon accents! 

    Last night was really good, we had dinner with our Bishop and his family. After dinner, the youth came over for a monthly fireside or they come and Bishop talks to them about different things that they face. It was really good we watched a mormon message about a boy who doesn't listen to his parents and decides to wear slippers instead of actual shoes. He then gets stung by a scorpion. We talked about how now is not the time to bend the rules. Could we get away with ignoring some of the rules and walk the line and be okay. yes. But now is not the time anymore. This younger generation needs to be strong because they are up against so much and we need their strength! I am just continually amazed at how good some of these kids are! 

    I love this work and I am glad that I have stayed! I love this work and this ward! I love you all! Te amo! Aishiteru! Poake poake yuk! Ofa atu! Naron secom! Alofa iate oe! Arohanui! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

    Love Always, 

     Sister Cassidy Lang

Sleeping Giant we hiked to the very top!  (It looks like Sleeping Lamb to Cassie's mom)

Week 74 - Yokwe or should I say Aroha! - June 23, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

      Well, President definitely likes to give me some curve balls... after being told that I was going to be getting a Marshallese companion on Sunday. Then Tuesday at 5pm I found out that I was getting someone else. Sister Harris from New Zealand. She is awesome! I was a little sad at first that I wouldn't be learning Marshallese and that we wouldn't be able to connect with them on that level; but then I realized that the only real language that they need to hear and understand is the language of the Spirit. They have already felt the Spirit of the gospel and love the missionaries with all of their hearts - speaking to them in Marshallese wasn't going to change their love for us! (it might help them understand the gospel on a deeper but that will come with time.)

   This week - man I can't even think. I used my first full pigeon sentence on accident... "Where he stay?" she looked at me and was like, "Oh, Sister Lang, you have been here a long time." we then laughed about it because I really have. As I introduced Sister Harris to everyone they all commented on how I was the one that was supposed to leave but I am still here and happy about it :) I taught my first lesson by myself, or I guess with just another member - I was companion-less while Sister Mottl left and I was waiting for Sister Harris and with the change of plans of companions I was going to have to teach her by herself. It was weird but it went good.

    We found a new investigator that moved here for the summer and is staying with one of our member families. He is 13 and we are just starting to teach him

    We had a last lesson with Sister Mottl and the Okamoto family before she left and it was really good. We were able to introduce the Book of Mormon to them and then help them realize the eternal blessings of the gospel by showing them a video about a family that gets baptized and then they go to the temple to be sealed a year later. It was a really good lesson the family is so good. I think the hardest thing will be getting the dad excited to keep learning and to be baptized. The mom and one of their daughters came to church this past Sunday!

   I am exhausted - transfers wear me out and I was the one staying but it was a really good week. As time draws closer I find myself thinking a lot more about things. This week was finding what I wanted to do for my last few weeks. I want to run till I am crying because I am so tired; I want to stretch till my muscles are screaming because they might break; I want to expect miracles; and then, trust. I have realized that is the hardest thing for me to do in all aspects of life is trusting. I love people so much but it is hard to have me trust someone else wholeheartedly, there are very few people that I trust with everything. It is also that way with my Father in Heaven - and I know that it shouldn't be. He is perfect and loves me more than I can understand and still sometimes I hesitate handing my will over to Him; even though every time I do I find so much more happiness than I could have ever expected. So as I evaluated this week I set goals - high goals and ones that are hard for me specifically. I expect a miracle to be able to reach them. I am putting my trust in my Heavenly Father and free falling. I don't know what will happen - maybe I will reach all of my goals and maybe I won't; but, now it is up to Heavenly Father and what He wants. In the end I will hit the goals or I will not but I will be changed and that is a miracle in itself. Each day is another gone - its time that I fall and learn to fly!

      Well, I know other things happened but I can't think of them. I am happy to be here and happy to be serving, especially here. I love it! I love you all and I will see you soon! Poake poake yuk. Aishiteru. Sarang haeyo. Mahal kita. Te amo. Narong seo. Ofa atu. Alofa iate oe. Arohanui. Yokwe yuk. Aloha wau ia oe!

    Love Always,

      Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 73 - Never being weary of well doing! - June 9, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

    Time is running short and I am up and down all the time. Somedays I am so ready to go home or go to a new area and then within an hour, Im on the verge of tears because I don't want to leave ever! Most of the time I just feel like a wreck and tyring to figure out all of these emotions and how to handle them, be a missionary, and then who am I going to be when I do come home. What goals do I have for the rest of my life??? Ah! Never enough time. 

    This week was so busy and I am exhausted- pday didnt exsist last week except emailing on Tuesday; then, we were busy every other day so i am so tired and behind on the things I usually get done on pday. Tuesday night to Wednesday night I was in Hanalei. It was so nice. I hadn't been up there in a few months so it was fun to see some of the people that I had worked with a long time ago. It was fun to see their few Latino members and be able to speak my broken and simple Spanish. Yep I still want to learn! On the exchange I was with a different sister that I had lived with before and it was really cool because through being with her I was able to realize that we have a lot of the same trials. I was able to feel Heavenly Father working through me to help answer her problems and also mine. I had been feeling really down a lot but being able to talk with her really helped me get back into the swing of things and back to my normal happy self :) I am just amazed that Heavenly Father really does prepare us to be the tool He needs if we are willing to submit our will to His. He will help us find a scripture, someone will mention something in passing that will stick out to us, or He will just reveal truth to our minds all so we can be a better tool in His hands. That is something that I never want to lose. 

    Thursday we had a miracle! A while back we had been given a list of Less Active sisters to go and see with their Visiting Teachers. Well we got super busy and so we had forgotten about the list. But we remembered and started working on it. Last week we went over to one of our members houses and talked about some of the families on her list to visit that were also on our list to see if we could all go together. Well, we found Melanie was on both of our list; so, we sent up a time to see them on Thursday. So we went over, knock on the door and Melanie was there and came right out and we started talking and she is so nice. We asked about her family and found out that she has 3 kids that have not been baptized and a husband that is not a member. Then she told us that it was a family goal to learn more about the church. (they had met with missionaries in the past but through a miscommunication they had become offended and stopped meeting with them) We set up an appointment for Sunday! Fast forward to Sunday- the whole family came and we found out that their son is good friends with Pono (who just got bapitzed) and so Pono came with us to teach as well. We taught them about how Christ's church that He had established was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon is our evidence that Joseph Smith was called of Heavenly Father to be a prophet. The dad had some really good questions that we were able to help him understand. At the end Melanie asked if there was any homework for them to do. Only start reading the Book of Mormon as a family and praying as a family to know if these things are true, and then comming to church. Those 3 things are what will build your faith and create the foundation of your testimony. 

    Saturday was awful but really good. We had 4 set lessons and by 11am all had canceled! Apparently that was not what Heavenly Father needed us to do. Sometimes I just have to chuckle or cry and think, "Maybe a little bit more of a heads up would be nice. But, okay we will work with this." So instead of those lessons, we met some awesome people. Made scones for a family that just moved here and has a daughter that is really struggling that they worry a lot about. We ended up seeing and having lessons with some people that we hadn't seen in a while. And it turned out great! 

     Sunday morning brought a lot of answers to my prayers/ frustrations. Saturday night was rough- Ill leave it at that and Sunday was just hard to get going and be enthusiastic. Well, we have an early morning meeting before church with the Bishop and then some of the leaders in the ward. Well, Bishop asked Sister Mottl to share a spiritual thought about never being weary of well doing. That is a very clear statement but what happens if we do begin to weary- if we just feel burnt out and tired. Then she talked about how even Christ feels all the same emotions we feel, He, though, handles those emotions perfectly. And it talks about how even Christ would go off to be alone and pray to His Father and ask for strength. Bishop then added to her thought by talking about how when Christ is in the Garden of Gethsemane he asks Peter to watch and pray. 3 times Christ asks Him this and 3 times Peter falls asleep. After the third time Christ mentions how the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Those thought were perfect for me. I want to do good all the time; sometimes, I wish I didn't have to sleep so I could get more stuff done. My flesh is weak- sometimes I am just so exhausted, I become frustrated and just cant do it anymore. But, then I remember that I can pray for strength and be renewed. I loved learning that yes, sometimes I will weary; but, I know to whom I can turn to for strength and to find peace. Right now I am tired and determined to press forward with whatever strength I am given. I love the Lord so much and I love my Heavenly Father! I love my blood family and my hanai ohanas. I love you all! Alofa iate oe! Mahal kita! Narong secolm! Poake poake yuk! Ofa atu! Te amo! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

     Love Always

         Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

P.S. I will know transfer news next week...

Week 72 - Aioe! - June 3, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

Makakilo Zone reunited (we all served together in my old area and now we are all over the place in leadership positions)

    So my mind is kinda scatter brained, I'm super tired and can't really think too well; but, I will try my best. This week has been a lot working with our Marshallese members and trying to help them stay active and understand all the different programs that the church has to offer. We visited a lot of them with our Relief Society President so that they can be meeting her and learning more on a one on one base which is what they need because they get easily lost in large groups. A few of the members that are super strong in the gospel have been organizing the Marshallese every week for activities and for teaching purposes. This past week we met at a park and they asked us to say a few words. We were able to talk about how we find strength with each other and how we can learn from one another. We are here to help one another and to lift each other. Then after us a member who just moved here and was in the branch presidency in the Marshal Islands taught a lesson in Marshallese. I didn't understand every word but I was able to understand that he was talking about the restoration and the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. It was really awesome and it was such a good feeling to be surrounded by all of these people that I love so much! After the spiritual part of the get together we played volleyball. Oh my some of these ladies are so funny, and they just laugh and have a good time. It makes me happy when I see some of the less active families come out and have a good time with one another.

This was our last appointment with Mark (in the black shirt) and our member who helped us in teaching Mark!

     A bit of follow up with Riza and Diana - they are doing wonderful. They weren't able to come to church this week because Diana had to go to the hospital Sunday morning because she woke up with a lot of pain but she has been doing better. She was so sad that she missed church. Riza told us that she is still reading the Book of Mormon and loving it. Every time I talk with her I am amazed at this 10 year old girl and how strong her spirit is and how smart she is! She tells us all about what she is reading and I'm pretty sure my mouth just falls open. 

      MLC - (missionary leadership counsel) It was really good. I always feel inspired to be better. We learned about diligence and how to be a good example and help coach the other missionaries. I learned a lot and then Sister Mottl got sick so we had to walk out but she is doing better she just needed to rest because we hadn't gotten much sleep the night before with our full day and then waking up at 4 to catch a flight and then just a long day of meetings. Overall it was good; plus we got Pinkberry at the airport! (we discovered that the international side of the airport has better food haha) YUM

    I'm sorry that this isn't much - I just cant remember what else really happened... I hope all is well at home! I love you all! Ofa atu! Alofa iate oe! Mahal kita! Aishiteru! Poake poake yuk! Te amo! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

    Love Always,

        Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

I wish that I had started counting the rainbows on my first day here ;)

Week 71 - I dont know enough; but I know enough. - May 26, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

     I heard the other day and then emailing my family today confirmed about the shooting back at home. I just want to take a moment to let you know that my prayers are with you. That even when bad things happen and we don't understand why; we can still find peace with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He suffered so we would never have to feel alone in our times of trial and weakness. With Him we can be made whole; we can feel peace within the storm. The hardest times in our lives are when we need Him the most and we must turn to Him with our broken heart and He will heal us. My heart broke too when I found out that one of the victims was someone I knew - it hit home a little bit more this time. Our hearts can be healed; because we are children of God and He made us and even when we break He can heal us and make us stronger. One thing I still know is that God is still good and Loves us and loves those that have gone as well.
Aloha 'oe, aloha 'oe

E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace, aho'i a'eau

Until we meet again.

This week I saw my Saviors hands as I taught, cried with, and loved His children. The scripture says in D&C 56:18 "Blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance;" This week my spirit was a little contrite and as I worked I saw a part of the kingdom of God.

We had to say farewell to Mark, he left for Alaska the other day. We taught him about the Word of Wisdom and my spirit rejoiced as we talked about how are bodies are temples and Heavenly Father knows what is best to put inside of them and things that are not so good. He agreed and then went further to look at his life and see how he could better apply the Word of Wisdom to make sure that he is always physically sound to better be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I am just amazed at how much he has figured out and then when he hears about it as a commandment from Heavenly Father he has no problem believing and following it. He is excited to see his son and hopefully have the missionaries in Alaska start teaching him as well. I am sad that I wont see him anymore but happy that I could have known him.
 

Antoinette is back with date to be baptized on June 14. We were able to read some of the Book of Mormon. A little miracle when I feel like she finally understands why we need to read the Book of Mormon because it is our proof of what we say is true; it will bring the peace when everything else is falling apart; and it will bring us closer to our Savior.

Riza is a 9 year old girl and we are starting to teach her family. They are an amazing little family who has been through some tough trials but are so willing to listen. When ever we go over the mom lets the kids be kids for 10 minutes asking all sorts of questions but then she quiets them down and says its time for them to teach us. The last time that we taught them we had introduced them to the Book of Mormon and this time we were going to go over Joseph Smith and prophets. We start teaching and we get to the part where Joseph Smith goes into a grove of trees to pray and Riza jumps in and tells us what happened. She had been reading the Book of Mormon and is loving it! I was amazed at 1. she had read the Book of Mormon and 2. that she understood what it said (English is her 3rd language- she speaks Marshallese and Tagalog and now English).

As I reflect on the past week I realize I understand very little. I don't know why some people are given the challenges they are. To me some seem harder than others; why does someone face financial struggles while another tears herself down because of the actions of another. Why is life so hard sometimes? Why is this still bothering me; shouldn't I be better now? Why, why, why. We have so many questions that we don't always get specific answers to. One thing I do know, as I mentioned above is that Jesus Christ is the Master Healer. With my own strength I can do next to nothing. But as I turn to Him and give myself to Him, He makes me so much more. He whispers the words I need to say to comfort, reminds me of a scripture that answers their questions in a way that I didn't see; He opens my mind and I end up giving the same advice my mom gave me to another. I don't know a lot of the answers and I probably never will; but, I know where I can turn and that is enough. In Ether 12: 27 it reads, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." With Christ I am made strong and I love Him for that. I love you all! Te amo! Alofa iate oe! Mahal kita! Poake paoke yuk! Aishiteru! Narong secolm! Ofa atu! Yakwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!

Love Always, 

    Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 70 - Sunscreen but No Beach - May 19, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha!

     This week hmm... I feel like the theme for me was sunscreen but no beach. We did a good amount of service outside and the first day I had gotten a little pink so the next day I didn't really want to burn so we went and bought my first sunscreen of my mission... The smell reminded me of going to the beach. At first that is all I wanted to do was just go to the ocean and swim; but, instead we went and painted a fence, helped someone move last minute, and then detail a car. (At least we got a little wet when washing the car). At the end of each service I felt like I had done what we needed to do. I'm sure there were plenty of days where Christ just wanted to go to the Sea of Galilee and just relax and enjoy the water; but, instead, there was someone who needed His help and so he willingly went. He healed, taught, and sacrificed everything for me/us. Here on a mission we are told to leave everything behind and focus on the work we are doing. To be honest some days that is easier than others. The smell of sunscreen was a harder day. I came to understand that as we give up our will for the Lord's there will be so much more happiness in the end. I imagine the consequences that would have followed if I had gone to the beach - yes it would have been nice (though I would have been sent home because our mission ends where the sand begins), I would have been able to swim and come home exhausted spending my day focused on me. We miss out on so many blessings when we stay focused on ourselves and we find so much lasting joy and peace as we do the will of the Lord.

    Sorry for the little sh-peal - I hope it helps someone cause it sure helped me. 

    There were a lot of great moments this week:

  Ruby was baptized and confirmed - not too many people came but it was beautiful. Her dad was baptized in November and had prepared and was able to be worthy to hold the Priesthood so that he could baptize his daughter. He was so nervous but was excited to see his testimony grow as he allowed the Lord to work through him. Ruby looked beautiful! The following day she was confirmed by her uncle who gave the prayer in both English and Marshallese. It was amazing. 

  The Marshallese class was full this week. There were so many people in the Relief Society (a class for the women and our role in the church) that we didn't all fit... so there were chairs going out of the propped open doors. 

   Mark is moving to Alaska next week and its sad to see him go. He has really grown so much already in the gospel. He came to the baptism and loved it. He loves church and makes great comments. He tells us that he will be baptized and that nothing would make him happier that to do it with his son in Alaska - so that is his goal. Another learning moment for me - as much as I want to be there for his baptism I also have had to learn about God's timing. His time is not now but it will come and it will be even better because God knows and manages all our lives perfectly, if we let Him. He told us after church that he truly appreciates what we do. Everything is wonderful and he was so grateful for the time that we spent learning from one another. We have one more meeting with him before he leaves and then he will be off to Alaska where his cousin is a member and hopefully he will continue on his path towards Heavenly Father. 

    I'm sorry there wasn't more for me to talk about - I love this work. It is hard but oh so good. I love being able to help. I love being loved and loving. It hurts when I see them fall and all I can do is cry with them. Then, I just think what am I to do? And the answer comes - bring them to Christ. He knows. There was a talk once given about a Brother Tuttle and someone else I think its called, "Broken Things to Mend" (or that could have been what I titled my paper that was based off the talk) but; it says Christ has made us and yes we chip, crack, and break. But Christ is the master carver- He made us once and He can make us again stronger and more beautiful. But we have to be the one that gives up and lets him heal us. Today I read the scripture, "Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not;" (Mosaih 16:12). His arms are always extended to us in mercy - but are we willing to let Him heal us? Are we willing to do the things that He asks? I pray that I will always turn to Him because I know of the peace that He offers. I am so grateful for the trials I have faced that have brought me to the knowledge of my Savior. I love Him with all my heart. I love His children! I love you all! Ofa lahi atu! Paoke paoke yuk! Aishiteru! Mahal kita! Te amo! Alofa iate oe! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

    Love Always,

       Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 69 - Glory in Weakness! - May 12, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

    This week has been a bit interesting for me; a lot of contemplation and just thinking and trying to figure out myself and all the emotions that I am constantly feeling. I guess you could say that I'm an emotional wreck because I am never knowing how I should be feeling. 

   This week was awesome considering that Sister Mottl has been sick with pneumonia this week :/ We had some really great lessons and then would come home and rest; but, I was able to go through a whole stack of papers that I had accumulated and trash a lot of them and then decide which ones I actually wanted to keep, cleaned some things, like the fan, that we never get around to... so it was time spent well I guess you could say. Something that I remember Carly saying is that it is all about our attitude... at first staying inside for long amounts of time was hard for me; but then I tried to change my attitude and start working on the things that I am usually frustrated about that never get done (like the fan and pile of papers). 

      I love that I have been able to see so many people be miracles in my life:

1. Pono - he still wants to meet with us every Tuesday and Thursday. This week he realized the importance of the Priesthood and is so excited that he will be able to receive the Priesthood this next week - he calls it his super power from Heavenly Father; I love that description. He also told us that as a Junior in High school he had thought about serving a mission and then realized that he wasn't a member so he pushed the thought aside... now that he is a member he wants to serve! He will be an amazing missionary in a year from now! 

2. Mark - he is such a wise man. Every time we have a lesson with him I learn so much from the things that he has learned from the world and the experiences that he has had throughout his life. He will be leaving soon for Alaska and then Salt Lake but he knows that baptism is in his future but doesn't feel like he has read enough of the Book of Mormon to be ready yet. If now is not his time then maybe I will see him again after the mission back in Utah. 

3. Members of the ward and our neighbors who found out that Sister Mottl wasn't well and called to see if there was anything they could do for us like bring us lunch or medicine or anything; our neighbors knocking on our door because they had gotten us some yogurt because Sister Mottl was supposed to eat a lot of it. 

    I have been having a lot of thoughts on love this past week as I have been doubting if I really was supposed to stay here. I just felt like I had tried all that I could; what else could I do? Then with each lesson to an investigator, less active member, or to those who just recently joined the church came my answer. I am needed here. There are people that I love with all my heart that need me and they love me in return. I think about how in my life I am so much more receptive to listen to those that I love and have a relationship with in my life than some random person telling me what to do. I have found so much love here in Kalaheo and that is my strength here. Love is the reason I stay; and for now that is enough. 

    Another thought that I was thinking a lot about after church yesterday came from 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." I see Satan working on myself and others as he brings up past stumbling blocks. We were made with infirmities; but Christ's grace is sufficient for All of us. Whether we are struggling with self doubt, alcohol, unfaithful spouses, wayward children, or keeping the commandments - Christ's strength is helping our weaknesses. My perspective changed. I used to get discouraged for my infirmities and weaknesses; but now I try and view it as an opportunity to turn to my Savior and to allow Him and His grace to lift me higher. I was reading today about King Benjamin in Mosiah 2:11 " But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people, and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me." We all have weaknesses - I am the missionary and am supposed to have all the answers; but, I don't (most of the time I have no idea what to do). But it is still me Cassidy Jean Lang that has been called, and set apart to do this work here. And with that I want to serve with all the might, mind and strength that is not from me but from the Lord. Once again, I have been humbled. 

    I am a daughter of God - came I from the dust to do His work with the power the He gives me. None of this is from me; I am only privileged to have seen such miracles an to have been apart of His amazing work of salvation. I love my Heavenly Father and I love His children that I have met and learned from. I love the gospel that He has given me and made available to all who honestly seek for His truth. I know its true because I can feel it. I love you all; my immediate family, my friends from home and school, and I love my hanai family that Heavenly Father has given me here in Hawaii! Ofa atu! Aishiteru! Paoke paoke yuk! Mahal kita! Te amo! Alofa iate oe! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

    Love Always,

        Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 68 - Transfers! - May 5, 2014

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

    Oh my transfers are this week... drum roll please.......... I'M STAYING! ( I know the dramatic effect is not as great since you all are reading this and don't get to her me yell and make all kind of sound effects ;) Yep I'M so sosososos happy! I may have a chance of finishing my mission here... that will have been 9 months here CRAZY! I thought for sure I was leaving but Heavenly Father has me stay! 

    I don't have much time today but ill try and summarize the best that I can! This week was insane but not like insanity week - this was unplanned and all over the place, basically a mess. But there were still some great moments to help me make it through. 

   Monday we had MLC (Missionary Leadership Council in Oahu) - which was awesome. Every time I learn so much and just pray that I will learn all the things that Heavenly Father needs me to learn before my mission is pau (done). After the meeting Sister Mottl and I went to talk with President Warner and were going to ask him if we could find out transfer news before church on Sunday because the ward wants to know and are sad when they don't get to say aloha oe to the missionaries. So we walk up to him and he asks us, "Do you sisters want to stay together one more transfer?" "Um, yes! Is that even an option?" He says its an option and that he is going to work on transfers the following day. I told him that I would love to stay but I will go wherever he and the Lord need me to serve. Then a week of still not being sure if I was leaving or staying. 

     We went to teach Ruby this week and she told us as we walked in, "I want to get baptized and I have been living the word of wisdom. I want to go to the temple! Yesterday, my friends asked me why I wasn't' drinking tea and I told them that I was keeping the word of wisdom to be baptized." This was all in the first 5 minutes of the lesson! She is doing awesome! What was the switch? One of the members came over to her home and was talking with her siblings that can go to the temple because they have been baptized and invited her to come too but also explaining that she would need to get baptized first to be worthy to enter the House of the Lord. Sometimes, it takes that little extra effort from others besides the missionaries. We need those added testimonies to help our investigators see that its not just us telling them and asking them to do these things but that others know and follow the same path that they are starting down. 

    Then craziness started happening. We had to flip our schedule around for a meeting that was moved to Friday. So we did service and weeded this man's garden... I was expecting little weeds and stuff... his weeds were taller than my comp! It was crazy and there were thorns all over the place. We left a bit bloody but the weeds were gone and he made us really good food! Yep, I'm still a sucker for good food :) The cuts are better now - the splinters are coming out every day and it made a great story.

    Then Thursday night we found out that one of the other sisters was in the hospital for abdominal pain. Then the next day she left for home to receive better medical care. President Warner called us and asked for help - if we could take Sister Haws with us because she was now companion-less. So Friday night we said goodbye to the one sister and brought Sister Haws with us! That night we went to a play that half our ward was in and then our investigator was in as well and it was so good and cute. I am amazed at young people and their ability to memorize all their lines and perform in front of people - I still struggle with remembering scriptures and speaking in front of large groups. 

     Saturday was the highlight of the week! Pono was baptized! It was such a beautiful baptism. He is now the only member of his immediate family and they all came. A lot of the ward new Pono because he had taught their kids swimming lessons in the summer, so there was good ward support too! The opening prayer was in Hawaiian and then his aunt gave the closing prayer and there was such a strong Spirit there. His uncle from a different ward baptized him and then his cousin from Oahu came, the one who had first taught Pono about the church and invited him to be baptized and then referred Pono to us! It was just amazing and Pono was so happy! After we had pot luck and the room was full and everyone was smiling and I loved looking over and seeing Pono take off all of his leis except the ones that Sister Mottl and I had made him! He was so prepared and feel like he was a tender mercy for this unplanned insane week! Pono received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday. And then in class we were learning about the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price and our group was the Book of Mormon and Pono volunteered to be the spokesperson and taught the class about the Book of Mormon and how it helps answer our questions, guide and direct our lives, etc, and " Its just fun to read." He finished 2 Nephi this past week! He truly is amazing! 

   This week was up and down and all around but it was good. We were in close contact with President Warner with transfers and then one sister leaving and then having another come in! It was crazy but somehow the Lord helped strengthen us to be able to handle everything! I love this work so much and it is so good! I am on the final stretch and its scary and exciting all at the same time. I have no idea where life will be taking me but that is where faith is tested and I have to turn to the Lord and trust that He knows where the road will take me. My part is to keep the commandments, take upon myself His name, and always remember Him and I know that He will guide me! I love you all! Alofa iate oe! Ofa atu! Paoke paoke yuk! Aishiteru! Mahal kita! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe! 

Love Always,

     Sister Cassidy Lang