Week 35- God is Coincidence

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

Week 34- The Best Birthday Present Ever!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Hopefully this week will make up for last week because we had some amazing stuff happen!

 

First, Raymond is getting baptized this Saturday! We stopped by his house and were able to teach him and read about the Stripling Warriors and then told him that he could be like these Warriors. Then we asked if he wanted to be baptized and he said yes and then we proposed this Saturday and he said yes! So now we are pulling it all together and he is telling all of his friends and the ward is super excited for him and so are we :) He is so good! Then, his school is on a track system so he is off right now. So, the next day he told us to come over in the morning so we could have a lesson and then play basketball... I think that is a fair trade. We read 3 Nephi 11 and then played basketball till it started raining and then we ended up playing soccer with the wet basketball. Also, Raymond has become really good friends with one of our recent converts that is his age, so they are always together and going to church activities with eachother, AND this recent convert is going to share his testimony at Raymond's baptism. Plus, we might start teaching his parents... we have a lesson with them tomorrow! I'm super excited for that because I already love his family and it would be so good for them to all support eachother in this decision to be baptized! I can't wait til Saturday... PLUS this is the BEST Birthday Present ever!

 

We are still working with Renuma. We were able to teach her on Sunday after church but she wasn't able to come to church :( She is going to 2 churches right now and is finding good in both, and doesn't know which to join because she feels like she will lose something by letting one go. We taught her again about how we can know Heavenly Father's will for us. When we are physcally sick we go to the hospital and see a doctor. When our spirits are sick we go to church to feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's healing power. Just like we do CPR to revive someone to do CPR to spiritually revive ourselves. C- church P- pray everyday R- read the scriptures everyday.

 

We taught the twins and Kaytlynn again this week. We taught them about the Plan of Salvation and it was super good. Sierra and Shayanne are so good and have so many questions and want to share a story about everything. After we played soccer for about 15 minutes. Gotta get my exercise in. They still want to get baptized but the only hold up is the mom is kind of backtracking. We went to get them for church on Sunday and they want to come and so I ask if they need a ride or if their mom will take them. They go back and ask and then they come back and say that their mom already has stuff planned... We were really sad that they weren't able to come especially because they really wanted to come; they love church.

 

We are working with some less-active families, and part-member families and it is all going really well. I don't know if it is being a missionary or not but it is so easy to love people here even if they aren't exactly living the way they should be. Yes, I want them to be better but I love them either way. It is amazing being a missionary and like my sister, Hermana Lang, told me: being obedient brings blessings but being Perfectly Obedient brings miracles. In the mission field we need miracles and that is what we search for. Sometimes we don't realize the miracles we are given until later. Sometimes they aren't the miracles that we were expecting but they are there. it could be a person deciding to get baptized or it is the ability to continue to find patience and love in a trying situation. Either way, both are miracles where divine help was given. I love being a missionary. Yes it is hard work but it is the best work too. There is no greater work than the work of salvation. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I have this amazing time to be His representative and do the things that He would do. That means I talk to strangers, and love them instantly. I help wherever I can. I wave at everyone. And I help people find the hope that only Jesus Christ can provide. I love you. Alofa ia te oe! Ofa atu! Aishiteru! Mahal kita! Saranghae! (Korean) Aloha wau ia oe!

 

Love Always,

    Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 33

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

Not too much happened this week sadly :( We missed a lot of people and had a lot of people not be home for appointments and such. None of our keikis could come to church this week :( It was the first time that we sat by ourselves in a while and it made me really sad but at the same time, I was able to just go to church for me. 

We were able to teach Sierra, Shayanne, and Kaytlynn this week! We were able to teach them about the Restoration. They are the cutest because they ask so many questions, love everything, and get off topic so much. They love learning about Jesus Christ. It is hard because we have to be super basic but they are catching on. They all want to be baptized which is Amazing! We just have to keep working with them. 

Miracle of the week though: we had a family move into the ward and it is a part member family. So the sister's boyfriend is not a member but has been looking into the church and liking it and so we got a new investigator this week! We have a meeting with him this week! 

 

Hopefully, this week will better! I am growing so much and constantly learning. God is good always and sometimes He gives us trials so we can grow. I love you all! Alofa ia te oe! Ofa atu! Aisitiru! Aloha wau ia oe! 

 

Love Always, 

      Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 32- I Love My Keikis (Kids)

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

I feel like everything is a blur of memories that are all getting jumbled in my mind and I can't think straight to organize them. To start, transfers are this week and I am staying here! I prefer off island but I do like the people here and I still have so many people to keep working with. Speaking of people- updates:

 

Renuma- she is doing so well! She came with us to a baptism to see what it was like and loved it. Afterwards a few people asked her if she was going to get baptized and she said, every time, "yes but I am praying to know when." She loves learning about the gospel and talking about Jesus Christ and how He is always a part of our life. Every lesson we have with her is super great and she understands and has questions. It is so nice to have people that are honest with us so we don't have to guess what they are thinking. Then we had a Family Home Evening Activity and brought her and Raymond. They loved it. We had a short lesson and then we played basketball and dodgeball outside. She came to church as well and she is pretty much a member now! She comes in and sits with us for sacrament and then she goes off to class with her new friends and finds us after church. She is so perfect!

 

Raymond- is doing well as well. He is a normal 11 year old boy and has his up and down days depending on who he is with. Some days he is all for baptism and then other days he is hesitant and unsure. He likes coming to church and being with the members. He came to the baptism as well and loved it and seeing Elders. He loves to play basketball and is just so good. 

 

Sierra, Shayanne, and Kaytlyn- we made a deal with our Elders that if they would clean our car we would give them food. Well Kaytlyn came outside and ended up helping the Elders clean our cars. Then later that day one of our Elders is really good at hip hop and so he was putting on a workshop and he invited Kaytlyn to come. Well she did and brought her two best friends, Sierra and Shayanne. They love to dance and they are so great (they are 10 years old). Afterwards they asked, "What building is this because we really like it." We told them that it was a church and invited them to come on Sunday with us. Sierra and Shayanne came and loved it! They don't know too much about Jesus Christ but asked where they could get Bibles, we gave them one and also 2 Book of Mormons. We are slowly teaching them about Jesus Christ and His gospel. It is hard I realize to teach something that I have always known about to someone that doesn't know very much. They want to come to church with us again! 

Well, a lot of the Elders are leaving this transfer and I am really going to miss them because they keep me sane! It has been a different experience serving around other missionaries but I have loved it. Well, that's all I can think of for now. I love you. Aloha wau ia oe! 

Love Always,

    Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 31- One Miracle is Enough!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

As I think of this past week the highlights that come to mind is Renuma! She is the sweetest girl ever. She is 14 and already knows so much. She has gone to many different churches and loves talking about God because she knows that He is always there for her. This past week we were walking back to our car (we borrowed it for the day) and then we see Renuma and start talking to her for a bit about how school was and then she asks what we are doing... nothing planned and so we ask if it would be okay if we teach her? She says yes and we taught about Jospeh Smith and the restoration of the church and the Book of Mormon. Before we started, she asked us, "Is it hard to be away from your family? Why do you do it?" We were able to tell here that it is because we love our families so much and that we know that the gospel has blessed our families so much and we want every other family to have these blessings too. Then as we started asking her about how the gospel has blessed her life she started tearing up. The lesson went so well! Then a few days later we were able to teach her about the Plan of Salvation and she loved it and knew so much already! She is already a part of the ward! She comes to Young Women's on Wednesday and then the pre-camp stuff on Saturday. Sunday she came to church and after sacrament meeting she just is like, "Bye, Sisters, I'll see you after class!" I feel so proud and happy that they have been so blessed and accepted already. Then after church we were able to have another lesson about the Doctrine of Jesus Christ or what are the things we must do in order to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. We invited her to be baptized this Saturday and she says she wants to but needs to pray to make sure that it is right! So a hesitant YES to a baptism this week!

 

We were also able to see a lot of less-actives which was really good. In our ward we have a very high inactive rate so we are trying to help out the ward through reactivating them! Renuma has been the highlight of this week and I love her so much and she is so good! Ah, God is a God of miracles and this week Renuma is a miracle. Also, I love Makakilo 1. it is a walking area 2. it is crazy hot and I sweat all the time 3. I lost 5 pounds!  Now I'm only at a net total of a 5 pound gain... not too bad even with all of this Hawaiian food. 

I'm sorry this letter is so short but, stuff is going well. I love being a missionary. I love to work and do the Lord's work! God is good Always. I love you all! Aloha wau ia oe! 

 

Love Always,

     Sister Cassidy Lang

Week 30- Temple Week!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

Not too much happened this week because we were inside most of the week due to Sister Challis being sick but she is up and good to go as far as I can tell! The other 2 sisters that I live with were able to help us out so that I could make a few appointments and see some of our investigators.

We were able to teach Cisco and Raymond twice this week which was great! The first time Sister Henderson went with me and we went and found Raymond and Cisco and they tell us we should have our lesson outside under the tree. We agree so we go under the tree and then 3 of their friends walk by and so they invite them over too. We ended up teaching the Restoration to 5 kids that day and they were so amazing! I ask a question and they all want to answer, we talk about a scripture and they all wanted a turn reading so I had to quickly think of some more for them to read! We ask them when we can come back and they say everyday haha. Why cant everyone be as kind and accepting as little kids? ... We went back a few days later, though this time we were in the middle of one of their games and they were a bit reluctant when we asked if we could share a short lesson with them. We read a chapter from the Book of Mormon to help them understand it and start reading it on their own. The lesson was once again outside, though this time there were many distractions which made it really hard to keep the Spirit there. No more lessons outside...

Sunday, Raymond and Renuma (Raymond's sister) came to church and they were my little miracle that day. I was frustrated with things and we weren't sure if they were going to be able to come to church that day but when they said they could it was an instant feel good moment. Heavenly Father wasn't done there He continued to bless me as Renuma sat quietly and partook of the sacrament and then opened up the Book of Mormon that I had given her and started reading. Then the talks were just what I needed to hear. 2 less active families made it to church. The little girl and boy in front of me drew me a picture that said, "I love missions." (meaning missionaries). When after sacrament meeting Raymond takes off and finds his teacher and is off to class. Renuma finds the friend she made last week and tells us that she will see us after church. When church ends we walk them home and talk about church- tender mercy- "Why do you guys like coming to church?" Renuma "I just feel like as soon as I walk in all of my worries are gone and I just feel peace." Yes I teared up because that is exactly how I feel when I go to church! We asked them about baptism and they both said they would but they need to learn more. 

My question of the week is "Why does God love me so much?" I feel incredibly blessed, spoiled, and I don't know why. Why was I called to Hawaii where the people are nice, where the food is not only edible its enjoyable, where I drive a car, I'm surrounded by beauty, I have a fan for when it is too hot, where I don't have a language barrier, I'm not eating bugs, and where I find family all around. I know that I am here for the people I am meeting and bringing hope to; still, the question, why me? What makes me different from anyone else? I don't have an answer but I continue to be humbled at how much the Lord loves me and cares for my little problems when so many others have greater needs than I. 

Monday- we had interviews with our mission president and it was an amazing spiritual recharge. On a mission there are not many people you can be completely honest with- but he is one of them and I am so grateful that I was just able to talk about concerns I have. He is my presiding priesthood and thus has the authority to receive revelation for me. As a result I was able to find the added strength that I needed and that I was wearing thin on. He shared a scripture found in D&C 123:12-13 and I loved it especially the part about wasting our life and wearing it out. I think of a super hard work out and how afterwards you are completely worn out. That is how my mission should be and how my life should be. I need to wear myself out in the service of my God and thus, in the service of His children/my brothers and sisters. 

Tuesday- TEMPLE DAY!!! Oh my, I have missed the temple and I am so blessed, once again, to be in a mission that allows us to attend the temple! It was my first time going to Laie and it was beautiful! Here I go again, a spiritual recharge! I can just feel the Spirit as soon as I see the temple! A unique aspect of the Laie temple is the Maternity fountain. It depicts a woman holding a shell that pours out water into this fountain that steps down making it look like it is going to the ocean. The shell is wisdom and the water is love that flows from generation to generation and throughout eternity (the ocean). A mothers love does not stop ever and the more I see my mom I realize that. And another tender mercy: sitting in the temple and feeling incredibly close to my family knowing we are sealed for eternity but yet I am miles and oceans apart from them. Why am I here? So I can bring this happiness to other families. 

I am so grateful for small things, children, temples and sealing ordinances. I love this work, I love being outside, I love breezes. I love seeing how many people will say, "I love you," back to me.  God is good always! I love you! Ofa atu! Aloha wau ia oe! 

 Love Always, 

       Sister Cassidy Jean Lang

Week 29- Heavenly Father Records Hard Work!

Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,

 

This week started out really hard with no real investigators and we would knock doors and not be able to talk to many people. I was getting frustrated to be honest, but Heavenly Father sees hard work and blesses those who work hard. The miracle came when we did a District Flood (we are placed into districts that contain a few different companionships and then as a district we decide on one persons area and all go there for an hour and help that companionship out with knocking doors). Well we did that and we were able to find 2 new investigators!

 

First, Ramon is 11 years old and is the kindest little kid ever. He said that he wants to be baptized so we are starting to teach him. We stopped by his apartment and invited him to our ward picnic and he came! Then, we invited him and his sister to come to church and they came again! They want to both get involved with Cub Scouts for Ramon and Young Women's for Renuma (the sister). They really enjoyed coming to church and we talked to the parents and we can teach them! Yay we are so excited for them.  

 

Second, Cisco is 10 and we were able to teach him and his brother the next day. They are so good and want us to keep coming back. The sad part is that on the weekends they are with their dad... so they don't get to come to church with us.

 

Third, a few days after we did the District Flood we went to knock on doors and our last door after doing a whole street of no one home or "no thank you's" and then we met Quinton. He is 16 and we asked if we could pray with him and if there was something that he would like to be included in the prayer and immediately he said his family. We asked him if he wanted to learn more and he said yes. We are going to try and see him this week!

 

Saturday: we had a ward picnic and it was super fun! We got there a little bit late and we brought a lot of the little kids by one of our member's houses. We ate and Ramon came and was so kind and got the Sisters their plates and napkins. I played kick ball with all the boys and then football. Yes I made a touch down and they all thought I was half Samoan... best compliment ever!! (seriously) I was the only girl that was playing with everyone, plus I was in a skirt and it was great!  haha I love being able to be with people and just having fun. I miss being active and being able to play all day long haha.

Sorry I feel like this email is super scatter-brained I just can't focus right now. I love working here. My tan is getting better everyday. More and more people are thinking that I am a local girl. Once again, those are the best compliments. My English is getting worse and my pigeon is mo'e betta! I love the islanders! I am so blessed to be here in Hawaii. I love you! Mahal kita! Aloha wau ia oe!

 

Love Always,

   Sister Cassidy Jean Lang