This week was great considering that Sister Mottl and I were sick the whole entire week and still aren't feeling the best but we are feeling a little bit better. In short and from the words of a little girl, "My body is owie!" headaches, everything made us queasy, whole body hurting, walking to the fridge for water was exhausting, coughing, and looking at things made our eyes hurt. Now its just a cough and we get tired really easily. With all of that we still had some really great lessons and came across some new favorite quotes. So for lessons this week:
Antoinette- we were able to go over and teach her about the Restoration. she had been able to read the pamphlet that we had left with her and then when we went over it, a lot of her questions were answered. She is so good and wants this change in her life and she knows that she will be blessed as she comes closer to Christ. she kept saying that she knows that baptism would be good and so we ended up talking about being baptized and telling her the things that would need to happen before she is baptized but she wants to be baptized as soon as possible. She now has a baptismal date for the 22nd of March! She came to Stake Conference yesterday and really liked it. She is so amazing and sends us little texts just telling us thanks for all that we do for her when in reality we haven't done much but Heavenly Father is truly watching out for her. I just love being able to watch as miracles happen all around us. Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Week 60 - Miracles Under the Weather - March 10, 2014
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha
Mark: here is one of my favorite quotes of the week: phone call- "Hi, Mark, its the Sisters Missionaries. We are a little bit sick and we understand if you don't want to get sick but we would still love to meet with you today but it is up to you." "Well, I take vitamins so I should be okay." ( in my mind- Shoots then, we will see you at 2!) "Perfect, we are bored of being inside we will see you at 2!" We were able to have a lesson at the church with one of our members and we were able to go over some of the questions he had about the Restoration and then he wanted help starting to read the Book of Mormon so we ended up reading the Introduction page and then we read 2 Nephi 31 which talks about what we must do here on earth in order to return to live with our Father in Heaven! it was really good. Mark is very open and is a true seeker of truth and knows that as he studies the Book of Mormon he will come to find out if it is God's words and he tells us that if this is what God wants for him then he will be baptized. I love it when people tell me that they want to be baptized and I don't have to ask. God really is so good! At the end of our lesson our member shared his testimony of the Book of Mormon and once again I was reminded that it is such a strength to have members come with the missionaries and be an added testimony and someone who can relate to our investigators! Then I gave him a Restoration DVD to help him have a visual of the things he has been learning about he looks at it and then with great curiosity asks, "What is this?" I tell him and then he explains his bewilderment, "I have about 20 of these in Alaska, but I always thought that they were a home improvement video so I never watched it" he has had so many moments that are guided by heavenly Father and it amazes me!
Lesters- Well they are just one of my favorite families! We told them we were sick and they said to still come over because they love having us over it was a tender moment when they told us that we reminded them of their kids that are still back in Simi. It was so nice because throughout my mission I definitely adopt people to be my Hawaii family wherever I go and the Lesters have become one of those families and it was so nice to know that they love us as much as we love them! Their son is so amazing, Jake, they are trying to schedule a time when his grandpa can fly over so he can baptize Jake. They are such a good family and are willing to listen the hardest part is getting them to then apply it and as the parents to find out for themselves if what they are hearing is true. We were talking to Jake last night and he told us that he had prayed about if the Book of Mormon was true and he said that he thinks Heavenly Father answered his prayer because he felt happy inside and had a great day. So often we make things so complicated when our Heavenly Father is simple. We are supposed to be like the little children and not doubt the simple answers that our Father gives us but to trust Him and trust and not complicate all the truths He gives us. Lately I have been doing that a lot of being worried about going home and wondering if what I am majoring is right. I was looking for this grand answer but then I learned again that Heavenly Father answers simply. And my answers have come just as Jake's did.
2 Timothy 1:7 " For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." We are not meant to be in fear but to allow this power that is within all of us guide our lives. Faith casteth out all fear. It is hard, yes; but, as we allow faith to motivate and guide us we have no reason to fear. We may not understand everything at the beginning but we must start walking by faith and then Heavenly Father can shine light on the path that He is taking us down and lead us to back to Him. I know that god will never lead us astray because He loves us and wants the best for us even when the great things have to come to end, there is still something else out of sight that He can see; but we have to keep moving forward with faith in order for Him to guide us there. This was the lesson I learned this week. Is the future scary- a bit- but with faith I must keep walking.
I have faith. I have a testimony that God lives and loves us. Jesus Christ lives and made it possible for us to live again as well. I know that we are never alone. I know that when we walk by faith we will be amazed at beauty and miracles that fill our journey back to live with our Heavenly Father. True Christianity is love in action. (I forgot who said that). I love my God and I love my Savior. I love the people of Hawaii and I love you all! Basically, I love A LOT and am so grateful to have first been loved so in return I can love. Mahal kita! Poake poake yuk! Aishiteru! Narong shecolm! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Te amo! Yakwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Jean Lang
Week 59 - Missionary Life is a Roller coaster! - March 3, 2014
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
Antoinette: we met her by trying to go to see a part member family and she is related to the family. She is so good and wants to keep learning. She has been having a really hard time with the people she is living with because they have a lot of negative energy. She called us up for a last minute lesson and we scrambled to find someone that can come with us that has the Priesthood. We had eaten dinner the night before at our Bishops house and his parents, who had just finished being mission presidents in Florida. As we left the Bishop made a passing comment of you can put my parents to work. So that moment came to my mind and we made a few phone calls and they were good to come with us to the lesson. It was a small miracle for us. The lesson went really well, Antoinette was really struggling and was able to receive a Priesthood Blessing which was really helpful to have right at that moment. It was amazing to have a couple that understood missionary work so well and was such a big help in discerning her needs and teaching the gospel simply and powerfully, I learned a lot from their example.
Mark: is a referral from a guy that owns one of the hotels here but lives in Utah. I have been calling Mark for the past month and we haven't been able to set up a time to meet so we could give him a Book of Mormon as he had requested until this Sunday. I called him up and he said he was available in 30 minutes. We met him at the church and he is so good. He grew up in Brazil because his parents were missionaries for a different church but they ran an orphanage down in Brazil. He knows who God is to him and is truly searching for truth. We gave him a little background on the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith and his vision of God and Jesus Christ. Another little miracle was that Bishop and our First Counselor came out and were able to meet Mark and invite him to church. I learned a lot from him about how we need to allow faith to overcome our fears and when we are motivated by faith then we will be able to allow to guide our path. He left very excited to read the Book of Mormon and keep learning about the church.
All in all, a great week. Im tired but full of love. I love you all. Aishiteru! Mahal kita! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Poake poake yuk! Te amo! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Lang
This week seems super long probably because so much happened! Tuesday we had Zone Conference, it was fun but long. We were taught about how to have short lessons in 6 hours, oh the irony. We got a 9 page talk on Monday and then had to write a talk about it- yep i skimmed it because as Sister Trainers we found out that we had training to do for it Monday night at 9:30 - bedtime is at 10:30 and we had to be at the church at 7- basically no time to write our talk or train too much, but Heavenly Father provides and it all went well.
We had a funeral on Saturday, that was really sad and kinda hard. I understand that I will get to see her, Romina, again but it was hard having to see her husband having to be so strong when so many relatives were losing it. It was hard because she was doing so well, her family was just starting to come back to church and then all of a sudden she is gone.There was a lot of support from the ward and then from the Marshallese community.
We had exchanges so I went to Hanalei and it is so beautiful up there. The work there is very slow and hard. While we were there we were able to see some miracles. So many good people and so many hippies that told me to stop driving our cars. I thought it funny that he is telling this to the people that walk a good amount as missionaries. I love being around Sister Talanoa I learned a lot from her just about diligence and trying your best to bloom where we are planted even if the area is not the best that you have seen.
Then we had stake Luau and it was really fun! The elders did a missionary haka it was great, I felt left out. But it was fun to be with everyone.
As for people this week-Antoinette: we met her by trying to go to see a part member family and she is related to the family. She is so good and wants to keep learning. She has been having a really hard time with the people she is living with because they have a lot of negative energy. She called us up for a last minute lesson and we scrambled to find someone that can come with us that has the Priesthood. We had eaten dinner the night before at our Bishops house and his parents, who had just finished being mission presidents in Florida. As we left the Bishop made a passing comment of you can put my parents to work. So that moment came to my mind and we made a few phone calls and they were good to come with us to the lesson. It was a small miracle for us. The lesson went really well, Antoinette was really struggling and was able to receive a Priesthood Blessing which was really helpful to have right at that moment. It was amazing to have a couple that understood missionary work so well and was such a big help in discerning her needs and teaching the gospel simply and powerfully, I learned a lot from their example.
We had another lesson set for later in the week which ended up not happening but she called us and said that she would love to come to church. We found her a ride and she came for all 3 hours and was surprised by how quick it went by. She really liked it and is going to come to Stake Conference next week!
Week 58 - Same Ole Good! - February 24, 2014
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
Well I officially hate time! Yep, I don't like it at all. I don't like that I have to start thinking about home because I'm not a big kid and don't want to make all these big kid decisions. Well enough crying so back to the good stuff- life as a missionary!
This week was pretty normal so it was great because Heavenly Father loves missionaries and helps us out so much all the time and I am so grateful for that. We had some great lessons with our investigators and they are doing really well. It was a struggle finding rides for them but they made it to church on Sunday! MIRACLES!
Something new: we have started teaching a lady named Antoinette. She is so good she has been taught in the past by Elders in Arizona she had wanted to get baptized but when they told her about how Heavenly Father has a health code for us, she said she was not ready to give up drinking and smoking. Well, a few years down the road we teach her step mom and then find her. She has now been clean of smoking and drinking for the past 8 months. She just had a knee surgery and is so good and feels ready now to make a change that will bring her closer to her Savior. She is so good and we are so excited for her to keep learning with us.
The Elders Quorum put on a music night and asked Sister Mottl and I do perform in it... well Sister Mottl played the violin. Since I don't play the piano that well I learned "When I Am Baptized" on the ukulele- I figured that was appropriate for a missionary to sing. Then I had everyone sing along with me and it was great! That way I didn't have to sing alone which I'm not a huge fan of. Plus at the end of the night I
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| We found where Lilo and Stitch was based off of! Ohana means family! |
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| Tracting and found this awesome bridge! |
English class is going really well, from having no one coming we now have 3 people and it is so much fun. We learn stuff but also laugh a lot~! This week we talked about question words : who what where when why and how. At the end we practiced asking them questions and them answering back. One lady answered back and it was correct so I said, "Perfect!" then she said, "Perfect, for real?" So the rest of the night when it was correct it was, "Perfect for real!" And they just laughed and laughed and it was so good and so full of the Spirit!
Basically, I'm just happy right now! I love it here and I love being a missionary! Oh and I learned how to say my testimony in Marshalese! So this Sunday at fast and testimony meeting I'm hoping to be able to bear it. Well, my time is short but I love you all! Paoke paoke yuk! Mahal kita! Ofa atu! Alofa ia te oe! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Lang
Week 57 - Tues., Feb 18, 2014 - Ups And Downs and God is Still Good!
note: P-day was on Tuesday this week because of the holiday. Look for the Michael Jackson quote not usually found in missionary letters. :)
This week has been an up and down week. It was transfer week and thankfully Sitter Mottl and I are both staying a little bit longer! We were able to teach some really great lessons.
Then, we had 2 other people in our ward whose relatives passed away this past week. It has been a sobering week. Some how Heavenly Father helped me keep it all together for lessons when all I wanted to do was cry and go home and pray.
I'm grateful to say that there is good news to report on as well! We have started teaching a family that is so good. Funny thing is that they are from the town right next to me back home. The mom is a less active member, with a non member husband, and a son who has been coming to church and loving it! We started teaching them last week with the restoration, then we had a mid week lesson and we reviewed and watched the Restoration DVD. Then this past Sunday we were all able to go over to a members house and have another lesson; and, of course, it wouldn't be Hawaii without some form of food afterwards. We were able to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the things that Heavenly Father has asked us to do and Jesus has been the example for. We must have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost and, the hardest one, endure to the end. The whole family was loving it and I love teaching people that are open to learn and want to know what we believe. They have so many questions and the 9 year old son is seriously a sponge! Oh my, everything we teach he just takes in and understands and I know that it is not because I am a great teacher; but, it is because of the Spirit and how Heavenly Father loves this boy so much that He is helping him! Wow, God is so amazing and good. We are trying to work with the family for the 14th of March to be baptized on!
Also, we were able to teach another family (husband and wife). They have been attending church for the past 3 months or so but never really had time for us to come by till now! We taught them on Wednesday right after we found out about Romina. It was really hard for me to go into that lesson. We watched a video about a family that takes the lessons and is baptized and then goes to the temple to be sealed as a family. It was such a spiritual moment and one of Heavenly Fathers reminders to me that this work is so much more that just baptizing people. I am here to bring people closer to their Heavenly Father and being baptized is just the first step! The temple is the real goal, that is where we have our families, the people we care the most about, bound to us for eternity, not til death do you part. God created a plan for us and the family is central to that, why would He create a plan and not create a way for us to be sealed with our families? I'm so grateful that He did prepare a way and my job as a representative of Jesus Christ is that I must help people know how they too can obtain this amazing gift our Heavenly Father has given us! I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and how much He loves me and helps me get through so much, the big things and the little things. I truly would be nothing without my Heavenly Father.
Jiman has been clean of smoking for 1 whole week! He is doing so well! We have a lesson with him tonight. He is still working for March 22! His broken English and our struggling Marshallese make quite the team, I am grateful for the Spirit which helps and for bilingual members who are so willing to help!
Testimony builder: Resita is a recent convert who is an elderly lady whose family does not always come to Church. We stopped by and she was so happy that we had found a ride for her the prior Sunday and asked if we could find her another ride. Of course we can - a ride problem should never be the reason not to come to church. She then told us that every Sunday she wakes up and gets ready for church and then wakes up her family who told her they would take her. Then some Sundays they tell her they are going to go to the beach instead, and she refuses to go with them. They will go out to eat and she says, " I am fine with water and the scriptures- that is food enough." She truly knows how to obey the commandment, "Keep the Sabath Day Holy." Her strength and desire to follow God has truly blessed her life and given her much strength.
Well, I think that is it for now. I truly love this work! I have learned that it is so important to work for our Heavenly Father and to do the things that he asks us to do because that is when we will grow the most, and find the most happiness! We may not be able to change the world but we can change ourselves. Michael Jackson said, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." We can't control other people but we can control ourselves. I pray that I am changing for the better and I hope that my little example will be enough. I know that when we serve others we find love, we become angels to others and that is where I have found so much joy. My mission thus far has been full of moments where others have been angels to me and I have been angels to them. I am servant of the Lord, and I have no greater Master because I have found so much joy here doing His work and helping as much as I can. I love you all and I love the Lord! God is good Always! Ofa atu! (Tongan) Aishiteru! (Japanese) Mahal kita! (Tagalog) Poake poake yuk! (Polynesian) Alofa ia te oe! (Samoan) Yokwe yuk! (Marshalese) Nalong secolm! (Crotrian) Aloha wau ia oe! (Hawaiian)
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
This week has been an up and down week. It was transfer week and thankfully Sitter Mottl and I are both staying a little bit longer! We were able to teach some really great lessons.
Sad news first: one of our less active Marshallese sisters who was starting to come back passed away suddenly. It was rough! We had gone over Saturday to see if she needed a ride and found out that she had been medivaced (flown over to Oahu for medical care which is very common here for basically anything) we asked a few questions and found out how we could get a hold of her husband. We called him and asked what was going on and he told us that his wife was doing better but sleeping. 2 days later we understood that sleeping meant a coma. Her liver failed and then while they were trying to stabilize her to have a liver transplant her kidneys gave out and she passed away on Wednesday. Even though there have been a lot of tears there have still been tender mercies through it. I am so grateful for the organization of the church and of the mission because within minutes we were able to have someone going over to the hospital to give her a blessing, and I was able to contact Sister Broomhead (my companion 2 transfers ago, who was moved to Oahu) and she was able to be with the family in the hospital when she, Romina, passed away. Also, as a ward we have been able to bind together and help out the family that stayed here in Kauai with meals and support.
Then, we had 2 other people in our ward whose relatives passed away this past week. It has been a sobering week. Some how Heavenly Father helped me keep it all together for lessons when all I wanted to do was cry and go home and pray.
I'm grateful to say that there is good news to report on as well! We have started teaching a family that is so good. Funny thing is that they are from the town right next to me back home. The mom is a less active member, with a non member husband, and a son who has been coming to church and loving it! We started teaching them last week with the restoration, then we had a mid week lesson and we reviewed and watched the Restoration DVD. Then this past Sunday we were all able to go over to a members house and have another lesson; and, of course, it wouldn't be Hawaii without some form of food afterwards. We were able to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the things that Heavenly Father has asked us to do and Jesus has been the example for. We must have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost and, the hardest one, endure to the end. The whole family was loving it and I love teaching people that are open to learn and want to know what we believe. They have so many questions and the 9 year old son is seriously a sponge! Oh my, everything we teach he just takes in and understands and I know that it is not because I am a great teacher; but, it is because of the Spirit and how Heavenly Father loves this boy so much that He is helping him! Wow, God is so amazing and good. We are trying to work with the family for the 14th of March to be baptized on!
Also, we were able to teach another family (husband and wife). They have been attending church for the past 3 months or so but never really had time for us to come by till now! We taught them on Wednesday right after we found out about Romina. It was really hard for me to go into that lesson. We watched a video about a family that takes the lessons and is baptized and then goes to the temple to be sealed as a family. It was such a spiritual moment and one of Heavenly Fathers reminders to me that this work is so much more that just baptizing people. I am here to bring people closer to their Heavenly Father and being baptized is just the first step! The temple is the real goal, that is where we have our families, the people we care the most about, bound to us for eternity, not til death do you part. God created a plan for us and the family is central to that, why would He create a plan and not create a way for us to be sealed with our families? I'm so grateful that He did prepare a way and my job as a representative of Jesus Christ is that I must help people know how they too can obtain this amazing gift our Heavenly Father has given us! I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and how much He loves me and helps me get through so much, the big things and the little things. I truly would be nothing without my Heavenly Father.
Jiman has been clean of smoking for 1 whole week! He is doing so well! We have a lesson with him tonight. He is still working for March 22! His broken English and our struggling Marshallese make quite the team, I am grateful for the Spirit which helps and for bilingual members who are so willing to help!
Testimony builder: Resita is a recent convert who is an elderly lady whose family does not always come to Church. We stopped by and she was so happy that we had found a ride for her the prior Sunday and asked if we could find her another ride. Of course we can - a ride problem should never be the reason not to come to church. She then told us that every Sunday she wakes up and gets ready for church and then wakes up her family who told her they would take her. Then some Sundays they tell her they are going to go to the beach instead, and she refuses to go with them. They will go out to eat and she says, " I am fine with water and the scriptures- that is food enough." She truly knows how to obey the commandment, "Keep the Sabath Day Holy." Her strength and desire to follow God has truly blessed her life and given her much strength.
Well, I think that is it for now. I truly love this work! I have learned that it is so important to work for our Heavenly Father and to do the things that he asks us to do because that is when we will grow the most, and find the most happiness! We may not be able to change the world but we can change ourselves. Michael Jackson said, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." We can't control other people but we can control ourselves. I pray that I am changing for the better and I hope that my little example will be enough. I know that when we serve others we find love, we become angels to others and that is where I have found so much joy. My mission thus far has been full of moments where others have been angels to me and I have been angels to them. I am servant of the Lord, and I have no greater Master because I have found so much joy here doing His work and helping as much as I can. I love you all and I love the Lord! God is good Always! Ofa atu! (Tongan) Aishiteru! (Japanese) Mahal kita! (Tagalog) Poake poake yuk! (Polynesian) Alofa ia te oe! (Samoan) Yokwe yuk! (Marshalese) Nalong secolm! (Crotrian) Aloha wau ia oe! (Hawaiian)
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Jean Lang
Week 56 - February 10, 2014 - Good Things are Happening
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha!
Transfer news came last night and... drum roll please... I'M STAYING!!!!! I had been praying all week that I could stay here in Kalaheo and with Sister Mottl for at least one more transfer and my prayer was answered with a Yes! I'm am super excited because there is so much work to do here and we are slowly but surely getting it all rolling!
So this week was great! Jiman has a baptism date! He was baptized in the Marshal Islands but his records have been lost and he hadn't come to church for years up until the Micronesian Culture night and now he hasn't missed a week! He is so good and happy all the time. His date is for March 21. He has struggles with smoking but he has been clean for 2 days now and is staying strong. He knows to pray and read the Book of Mormon for strength, he is staying with David and Doresty (recently baptized and both of them gave up drinking and smoking before they were baptized), and we are seeing him at least every other day to give him support and keep the Spirit strong with him.
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| Sister Mottl and I driving! The bird is named Tanner! |
Miracle to me: this week we got a call from a convert of about a year and he told us that he just needed to get something off his chest and needed to tell someone... needless to say I was nervous what he was about to tell us. Well, we found out that he got into a really bad situation where things could really easily go wrong. He told us that he remembers hearing a voice saying, "Remember your promise." He was so glad that he had the Holy Ghost to remind him of his promise he made at baptism. He was grateful that he was warned and told to leave. He literally dropped everything and ran away from the situation and later had to call a friend to bring his truck to the highway where he had ran to. The miracle is that we are protected when we have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am amazed at the strength of people in turning away from and booking it away from a bad situation just like Joseph did with Potiphar's wife in the Bible. (Dad I'm not sure where in the Bible... Editors note (from her Dad) Genesis 39) .
Another miracle is that I was able to work. We had a lot of work to do and I have been sick most of the week with a cold. Lessons were hard when - 1. couldn't breath 2. couldn't hear what people were saying. It was great and I prayed a lot to be able to follow and keep up with the lessons we were teaching. Everyday I came home so tired and so grateful that somehow I had been able to make it through the day without falling over. haha. I'm still a bit sick but on the uphill part and now I can hear again and breath, its just a cough. Yes mom, I'm taking meds.
Last night we were able to meet with one of our referrals. A family has been coming to church for the past month with one of our members. The wife was baptized in the church but has not really come since high school, the dad is not a member but open to learning, and the son just absorbs everything he hears. (He sang his favorite primary song "Beautiful Savior" for us). We were able to teach them about how God loves all of us, His children, He has always given us prophets for us to hear His voice, and that Joseph Smith was God's chosen prophet in these days and that we still have a prophet who tells us God's words. We introduced the Book of Mormon to them and the Dad and son both said that they would read it as a family. The son wants to be baptized and he said he wants to baptized on March 14! Now, we just need to help the parents keep learning and helping them see that he can be ready by then.
Basically, I feel very spoiled to be here. There are so many miracles that are happening all around us. It is a beautiful place to serve, the people are so kind and happy. I am so humbled to be having this amazing experience! I love being a missionary. I love Kalaheo Ward! My ohana (family) keeps growing and growing with each new place that I serve! God is good Always! I love you all! Te amo! Mahal kita! Narang secolm! Alofa ia te oe! Ofa atu! Aishiteru! Poake poake yuk! Yokwe yuk! Aloha ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Jean Lang
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| Our last district picture! |
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| Look what we found when we drove home one night... little piggies! |
Week 55 - Culture night! - Kalaheo, Kauai (the Garden Isle), Hawaii
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
The actual Micronesian Cultural Night: started off with our Marshallese members dancing for about 15 minutes straight. Most of them were recently baptized, or members that had not come in a while. There dance was about building a house out of coconut trees and fishing. I love how their dances tell a story. I was so impressed because they came up with the lyrics, music for the ukulele, and then the dance for it all in about 2.5 weeks! They were amazing! I feel like the luckiest girl because we were able to see them practice and see how the Lord was binding these members together and helping them become strong as a group. The Culture Night not only allowed our other nationalities in the church get to know our Marshallese better but it really strengthened the Marshallese too! truly it was a miracle the way the Lord makes everything work out so perfectly!
Then there was the food- we had normal Hawaiian pot luck but then there was Marshallese food for everyone to try. My favorite is IQ (basically coconut porridge) or pumpkin taro coconut balls (all those foods mixed together and rolled into a ball).
After we ate another Marshallese group came to perform as well and they were well seasoned dancers. They kind of have dace crews almost but its usually by churches. They were really fun to watch but they weren't all the people that I loved and had seen put in so much work so my Marshallese were my favorite ;) Everyone had such a good time and it was just so full of the Spirit. That in itself is amazing to me how we can feel the Spirit when we are quiet and in a sacred place but we can also feel the Spirit when we are involved with wholesome and good activities. Wow - God is so good and I love being able to see His work all around me and in everything!
Well, the night ended and we were still exhausted, feet hurting from being up so much but so happy as well!
Sunday came and at first I didn't think that the Marshallese people were going to come because I didn't see them. I was so glad when I was wrong and Doresty (recently married, baptized, and now has 2 callings) got up and bore her testimony. Parts that stuck out to me was that she said, "I am still young in the gospel and learning but I know that this church is true. It has strengthened my family and brought us so much happiness." We are all still learning and with each new truth that we find and apply to our lives brings us more happiness for ourselves and for our families! Also, Carlmai's (a returned missionary) bore his testimony and it was so sweet when he said, "I know that we are all children of God and no matter our skin color He loves us." Then he mentioned about his father passing away while he was on his mission and he knows that he will be able to see his dad again and that one day his whole family will join the church and he won't have to come alone. Man - those are the moments where I am so grateful for missionaries so that one day if now is not the time, the gospel will bring so much joy to their family. Why am I on a mission? I am here for people like Carlmai - I chose to leave the people I love the most because I know that the gospel has blessed my life and made it full of joy amidst the trials and everybody should have those blessings as well. Everyone deserves and needs the hope and joy that is found when we hand over our lives to our Father in Heaven and let the Master Creator do what He does best - create something magnificent.
I love this gospel so much. I know that my time is short and that scares me; but, I know that as I continue to work I will continue to see miracles all around me. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and has been revealed to us through the prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father and He loves us. God is good always! And God is love! I love you all! Mahal kita! Te amo! Poake poake yuk! Narong secolm! Ofa atu! Aishiteru! Alofa ia te oe! Yokwe yuk! Aloha wau ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Lang
Most of our lessons canceled this week :( But Heavenly Father made us super busy doing service and prepping for the Micronesian Culture Night that was on Saturday and it was so amazing!
Our Relief Society President asked if we could help with some stuff and of course we said yes. So our list of accomplishments this week is: 2 cakes (one with the Marshallese flag as the frosting and the other with Yokwe on it), 1 pan of brownies, 100 pieces of banana bread, 68 candy leis (with over 700 little bows we tied). Then we helped decorate the tables, organize the tables. Doresty called us and asked it we could help her on the day of the Culture Night so we pounded taro, de-haired 18 coconuts by scrapping them with knives, cut pumpkin and bread fruit. Then from the missionary side we made flyers with all the Kauai missionaries numbers on it and set up a table that had Book of Mormons in Marshallese and then some other pamphlets about what we believe. by the time the event started I was already exhausted! Week 54 - A Week of Miracles!
Aloha Ohana and Haoaloha,
This week has been super busy, but that is the way I like it! I hate being bored and feeling like there is nothing to do well, this week I felt we were running all over the place with so many things to do. I think I managed to maintain control for most of it, with an occasional moment where I'm sure that I acted as if I was a chicken with my head cut off. Oh the joys of the unexpected chaos that as missionaries we need to fix right away! Sorry for the normal scatter brained me but here are some of my favorite moments:
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| Zone Pictures |
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| Sister Curtis & I - MTC Companions |
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Welcome to Hanalei |
Jeffery Erakdrik: he is 9 and usually a punk kid. He was baptized a few months back and likes to give a lot of people a hard time. I think he is funny at times when I probably shouldn't be encouraging his behavior, though I have scolded him before. I think he is beginning to like Sister Mottl and I. There is a Micronesian Culture night this weekend and so this past week the Marshallese have been getting together every night to practice their songs and dances for it, we have stopped by a lot to see them and to teach because they are all either recent converts or less active members. Well, one night they were going home fromm the church and we drove to their house after Jefferey had hid by our car and scared us and then started running home to try and beat us. Well, he lost. But somehow Sister Mottl and I had some extra energy so we started running back to get Jeffrey to show that we love him by example. We catch up to him and then race him back. Umm, he is super fast, I was wearing no shoes because I had ditched my slippers at the beginning, and we had just eaten dinner. Somehow we kept up with him and didn't die! MIRACLE! Then we reach the house and realized that we are locked out and the only one with keys is at work and won'
t be home til midnight. So with the help of Jefferey we broke into the house. Simple bonding moments with him and I think we have won his trust haha. Proof that he is deep down a good kid: at Dolly's baptism we were playing I Spy before it started and he said, "I spy two angels." Sister Mottl, "US!" Jefferey, "No." Me, "Dolly and Malia?" "Yep!" He denied saying it later- he had an image to keep, but slowly it is coming down ;) Ya gotta love the kids!
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| Dolly's baptism |
Dolly's Baptism: Dolly was baptized yesterday after church. We combined it with a little girl whose family are all members. It was so good and beautiful. There were so many people that came for Malia and then almost all of the Marshallese families for Dolly! So much love and goodness. I truly love baptisms! Dolly looked so likatu (Marshallese- beautiful) - truly like an angel! I had originally been asked to play the piano but thankfully I weaseled my way out of that one and led the music instead! A baptism is such a great way to end the week! Plus, our recent convert, David, was able to baptize her. He received the Priesthood that morning and then did a wonderful job at exercising the Priesthood that he had just received. He looked so happy and full of the Spirit! Ah I love the gospel because it is so good and so true!
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| Malia & Dolly |
Gilbert: we have been teaching him for over a month now and he is such a good man. I met him with Sister Broomhead and said a prayer with him and he said that he would love for us to return. We see him most every Saturday, and we have been trying to have someone come with us but it always falls through so it has only been us, the missionaries; but, this past week we were able to have a couple come with us and it was so good! We watched the Restoration dvd because he has some doubts about modern day prophets so we had been able to quiet a lot of his concerns but thought a visual would be good for him. At the end we said that he related a lot to Joseph Smith and how he has those same questions of where to find truth. Our members were able to bear strong testimonies of how one of them converted into the gospel and how he has found the answers he has been looking for by studying the Book of Mormon, praying, coming to church and being baptized. It was perfect! I truly gained a testimony of how there is a power when we have members of the church come out with us missionaries. Yes, as missionaries we are set apart and called of God and have a power with us; but, we are young, we don't have all the experiences that some other people have and we need their testimonies as well. There is a strength when we are all unified in this work together! At the end of the lesson our member invited him to church and it was the first time he didn't say no. He said that he would really try. Unfortunately, he didn't make it on Sunday :( but I know that Gilbert is a son of God and God has a plan for him and it isn't according to what Sister Lang wants it is according to God's time table!
Emergency moment: we were about to leave to go knock doors in an area and we get a phone call from the Relief Society President saying that we are needed at the Erakdrik's house. We go straight over and find out that their 3 year old daughter was hit by a car, and was taken to the hospital. She was okay, thankfully the car was going fairly slow, Lulu (3year old) has some pretty bad scrapes and bruises but is okay! MIRACLE!
Friday night: we were asked to do a musical number on that Sunday (so yesterday- giving us about a day to pull something together and find someone to accompany us) Well we called about 5 pianist and they all said that it was too late notice. Then I discovered that my comp composes music and writes music... so we sang A Capella on Sunday and combined 3 songs, "Josephs First Prayer", "A Child's Prayer" and "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" and it was really good! (I thought so at least) MIRACLE was that we could even sing, my throat had been really sore the past few days and I was fearing strep throat because I had been around it a few weeks prior. So I drank lots of water, lemon herbal tea, and lots of fruit and cough drops with vitamin C in them. And I'm doing much better, still a bit sore but getting there. Then my comp hasn't been feeling good all week and we still go out and work we just pray that she will stay up right and not pass out. We sang without either of us being a wreck and we are both feeling much better today!
This week we had exchanges and I was back up in Hanalei. It is so beautiful there. A very nice part of the island. Humbling moment: before we left to go back to Kalaheo, we stopped by one more house. well, I follow Sister Talanoa and we go to the back of the house and knock on a little door and the husband opens the door and I can see inside. It is a little room with a microwave, bed, a bar over the bed making their closet, a few shelves with small amounts of food, one chair that is right next to the bed and takes up almost all of the floor space. This room is all they have.They are just making ends meet if that, and they invite us in. It is crowded but full of the Spirit. We share a scripture in D&C 61:36-39 and testify that God is aware of their needs and knows their struggles and as we have faith in Him, He will take care of us. We pray and leave. I am speechless. Never have I had to want for anything. Never have I been without. I have so much and I wonder, why does God give me so much? I only hope that I give enough to others. I remembered that I must be grateful for all the simple pleasures, but I also remembered that true happiness comes from our Savior. This family had little, but their hearts were full and smiles full of happiness. My mom has always said, "Where much is given, much is required." I pray that I will always be humble enough to willingly give what I am asked to give.
Jaylynn- we have been trying to teach her for awhile, but she is always busy with homework or volleyball. Her mom and younger sister were recently baptized and her dad was baptized years ago but never really became involved and understood everything. Well, the mom called on Saturday and told us that they were free right then so we went over and were able to teach Jaylynn, the mom and the dad about the Plan of Salvation. It was a really good lesson because we were able to clear up a lot of misconceptions and questions that they had. The next day all 3 of them were at church!
Something my dad told me was that missionary work is the work of saving souls. Sometimes there are people who have never heard about Jesus Christ and the hope that he can bring. Sometimes it is people who have fallen away and helping them realize that there is still a way back, and Sometimes it is helping someone who is already strong in their faith come even closer to their Savior. Either way the work is good and I love it all! I love being a missionary!
I love you all! Yakwe yuk! Ofa atu! Aishiteru! Alofa ia te oe! Mahal kita! Nalong sicolm! Poake poake yuk! Te amo! Aloha wau ia oe!
Love Always,
Sister Cassidy Lang
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