In the words of Eloise: IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!

December 23, 2013

HOWDY FAMBAM! Okay so around 11 is the time I think? Honest...I have no idea where we're skyping....maybe Gjet's? But hakuan matata is will happen! and It's only for 40 minutes max so NO CRYING ALLOWED.

 

OKAY SERIOUS TALK. WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THAT 1D HAD A NEW CD? ANTI S/O TO EVERYONE READING THIS RIGHT NOW.

 

Random fact: there are 40+ missionaries in our stake out here. How many do y'all  have? Our mission has reached its limit! How crazy fun is that?! Watch out NE, we be commin for ya.

Moving into the Spicer's for Christmas.

 

The mission is the biggest mind game EVER. Satan knows how to get into our heads and we have to train ourselves so that we can beat him. He knows our potential just as much as Heavenly Father does and that is why he wants us to fail. We've been having to move around a lot since the Peschkies didn't want us living with them while they were gone and so it would take an hour to get into town one way and we've had meetings and goodness marie it's been stressful. A bunch of our investigators feel like we've abandoned them and Tanya and Barb are sooo mad at us that they don't want to get baptized anymore and even Sylvia is ignoring us! Our Stake President came last week and told us that Satan was using contention in the stake to pull everyone away from each other. AND IT'S WORKING. But Sister Dumont and I cried it all out and we're ready to go this week! There's just not enough time in the day to see everyone and we then feel terrible and wooooffff. But I know it will all work out. I need to trust in Heavenly Father more than ever now.

 

I was reading and D&C 88:68 totally hit me: ".....for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."

 

Heavenly Father will make everything work out because it's all up to HIM. DUH. His own time, way, and will. Goodness He is the best. Now I have to learn patience. We all know how that goes for me....but hey that's why I'm on a mission! To learn and grow and baby step my way to becoming like Christ!

 

I love y'allll sooooo much! I can't wait to see you! No crying. Time cannot be wasted. But AHHHH OMH I LOVE Y'ALL AND CHRISTMAS AND THIS TIME OF YEAR AND I'M JUST SO HAPPY EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE HAS DITCHED US B/C HEAVENLY FATHER WILL TAKE CARE OF IT ALL. Do my best and God will handle the rest. XOXOXOXO

 

SISTER CASE

HOMELESS!!!

December 16, 2013

Howdy! So S. Dumont and I are homeless and just move all around Nebraska...the Peschke's didn't want us to stay at their house while on vacation....so now we live with the Branch President and it takes 45 minutes one way to get to town or his house. And then we're moving to the Spicer's while they are out of town. Struggles...so I honestly have no idea how skypeness will work...have it on and ready to go around 2ish? to um 5ish? Somewhere around there. Woof. I have no idea.

Funny story--we got straight up lost in a cornfield trying to get home on Saturday...like off roading and corn and a deer...gotta love Nebraska.

For all that love me--help me when I get home because I won't know how to talk to people...we're not allowed to text or call elders anymore. If we need to talk to them we call someone from the branch to tell them the message. It's confusing. Good thing I love my sistas.

These less actives we were visiting told me that their dog was deaf...so I started waving at it? Sister Dumont won't let me live it down. Oh and I think I've seen too many scary movies. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just picturing a movie or if the spirit is the one letting me know to leave....ya I'll work on figuring that one out.

GJET IS GOING TO CHURCH!!!! I AM SO HAPPY. SHE PINKY PROMISED US AND THAT IS SERIOUS STUFF TO HER. Omh so happy. Like she still only believes in the 9 commandments... So we will work on that one...but goll I just love her so much! We had 5 less actives come to church on Sunday and it was wonderful! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY AND SEEING PEOPLES TESTIMONIES GROW AND THE RELATIONSHIPS WE GAIN AND IT'S JUST MAGICAL. It really truly is. Like Kayla Inks--I would be straight up terrified to go over there at first but now we're buds. We  joke around and she says love you back to us and she knows how important the sacrament is and I love her so much that my heart wants to just jump around inside me. Missions are the best thing ever. #NIKE.

So sad though when people don't want the gospel anymore! Cheryl and Wayne told us not to come back anymore because they were too busy.  Bubba and Val didn't get baptized on Friday because they won't come to church!  But it's all in Heavenly Father's timing so I'll keep waiting and working!

Zone Training was amazinnnggg as always. S/o to Elder Tanner Daines. You truly don't have to be who you were yesterday because of the atonement and the ability we all have to create ourselves into who we want. Let Christ mold you into who He knows you can become! "Stop suffering over who you are and find joy in becoming like Heavenly Father!"

I love being on a mission. I love learning so much about myself and others. I love the atonement. I love working on myself every day. I love learning how to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. I love Christmas. I love y'all. I love technology.

My heart is so happy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I'LL SEE YA SOON. XOXOXO.

SISTER CASE

Let it Sn**, Let it Sno* LET IT SNOW

December 9, 2013

 

Howdy. Unfortunately you read that right....I LIVE IN ANTARCTICA AND I AM ALIVE SOMEHOW. If Heavenly Father believes I can do it....then okay then..duh...I can do it. I had a fatty pep talk with myself before I said it...but I now say, "I LOVE SNOW." Secretly I gag...but I must love it...so I do. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH MUSICAL? I'M SO SAD FOR Y'ALL. And lol at the hot tub pics. Dying. The wind here is insane. It straight up stabs you at times. We'll be outside for something and it's so cold that it takes your breathe away for a smidge. I'm sure everyone thinks I'm a weirdo because I just smile the whole time I'm outside and giggle when the wind attacks. Like what else am I supposed to do? Scowl? Um. NO. I'm trying to make the best of my little tundra and be a happy, loving, missionary! Here we go!

 

Our new district is all sisters! Well except the DL and his companion. But how fun is that! Granted...we're the only sisters in our zone but it is still great! Oh and apparently when elders and sisters describe me to others to see if they know me they say, "She's the 'oh my heart' sister!" HAHAHAHAHA I love it. So good. (so good, so good.) Oh and mother dearest--S. Dumont and I LOVE THE ADVENT CALENDARS. #bestmissionarymom you're perfect.

 

So my dear sweet companion told me something about Troy (Tayna's son that's my age) So apparently his Mary Jane hat isn't because he likes the singer....and he doesn't like St. Patricks Day and have 4 leaf clover earrings...yup...I'm still ol' innocent me. S. Dumont died laughing when she told me it was about marijuana...we'll have to work on that one with him...

 

Our Branch Christmas party was this weekend and 5 of the people we teach came! and OMH 3 investigators and 5 less actives came to church!

 

Our lesson in RS was so good! (so good, so good) At one point the question was, "How can we have fun but still have the Holy Ghost with us?" And Sister Reeves goes, "well, ask Sister Case that one. She's always laughing but I know she has the Spirit with her." That was so tender to me! I really thought about that and it is true. I love to have fun but can still be a representative of Jesus Christ AND WE ALL CAN. We can be in the world but not of the world. You can still go to a school dance and have a great time with  people you know you can trust to be clean and well behaved as well. You can go and find and wear a modest dress. (You'll stick out like a sore thumb--but even better!) Let people know you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that you have a testimony on modesty and sticking to your standards at all times and in all things and in all places. Show them that you won't lower your standards for a silly dance. Show people that you can be funny without being crude. Show them that you can hold a conversation without swearing or taking the Lord's name in vain. We can't be reserved people. Be out there! Shine! Let others see the joy that this gospel can bring. Hold to your standards, be an example, be an odd ball. Show people that you can make the gospel livable. Show them that they can still function with their everyday lives by having the gospel AND that it makes your life so much better! Before we can even begin teaching, we must lead by example. 1st impressions do matter--and I want people to see me as someone that's positive, silly, AND a representative of Jesus Christ. Just be yourself as you share your testimony through your example.

 

I LOVE Y'ALL!

 

STAY WARM AND EAT A CUPCAKE FOR ME.

 

Love always,

 

Sister Case

A few more pics from the Turkey Trot

 

 

 

STAYIN' TOGETHER

December 2, 2013

HOWDY! Goodness I can't believe it's already December! Are you excited or are you excited to see me? How are y'all? Break a leg this week! Okay confessions session. MOTHER DEAREST. There is this fambam that used to live here in Columbus--Couch family--and they came here for Thanksgiving and oh my heart the mom reminded me SO much of you. Like I met her twice and we were instant best friends. On Sunday I gave her a hug and burst into tears (there I go with the crying again) as I told her she reminds me of you and that I really miss you and love you so much. She gave me a good ol' mommy hug.

 

We decorated a Christmas tree with a less active! I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Her name is Shirley. She's super cute! Her husband is super catholic and they get in arguments over religion, so it's easier for her not to come to church so they won't fight. However,  he really likes us and the whole fambam is coming to the Christmas party this week! *side note---when we were decorating she had on a Christmas music station on her TV and every.single.song. was about love or kissing under the mistletoe. Like hellllooooo can I listen to some songs about Jesus please? Goodness. The world these days. :)

 

So yes, S.Dumont and I have another beautiful transfer together and we are SO happy. We get to spend Christmas and New Years together! Elder Tatatfu left though :( So sad. All of  our investigators and some people from the branch had been praying that we would stay. It was the swwwweettttteeessstttt thing to find out. We are so loved!

Peace out Elder Tatatfu.

 

Random thought: living with members is sometimes extra nice...especially when you scream and Brother Pescke will come save the day and kill a spider for you.

 

TANYA IS GETTING BAPTIZED. She's set for 12/28/13! Hopefully it all works out! We also  taught her son Troy, and now he's reading the Book of Mormon! He's my age and seems really nice. We invited all of them (Tanya, Troy, and Tara)  the other two said they would continue to think and pray about it. Like Tara WILL be a member one day. She read the WHOLE BOOK OF MORMON IN 4 DAYS. Plus she has relatives that are Mormon and she said she felt her grandma with her as she read. I'll keep praying for that cutie. Oh and Barb is the sweetest! She's in her 60s, on oxygen, and knows she's about to die, and she chugs beer like no other while we teach. But I swear S. Dumont, Barb, and I were all friends in heaven. She's a special little lady. She keeps asking "where will I go when I die." We talk about it but she has terrible memory. She even told us (our 2nd time meeting with her) that she wants us by her when it's time for her to go. I love her sooo much!

 

Thanksgiving was super fun! We ran the Columbus Turkey Trot with the Spicers and President Lindquist.

Columbus Turkey Trot

 

Then we went to cheer at the Turkey Bowl and Pres. Lindquist wanted us to play and this was our convo:

"Sister come play!"

"We can't touch boys!"

"The last sisters we had here played." (the last sisters in Columbus were here 7 years ago. Columbus was just reopened up to sisters in May.)

"Were they disobedient sisters?"

"...Well I'm not sure...but I"ll have my blinders on today."

 

The silly goose. In the end, the Melchizedek priesthood won. Things broken: glasses, finger, nose. Injured: everything. The old men showed no mercy.

District 4

Thanksgiving "Before"

Thanksgiving "After"

 

 

 

Today we made flowers and bows for our hair. (state side swag.) and S/O to Louis Hale the 3rd because OF COURSE I burnt my finger and I don't even know what happened because I started going in a daze. That thing hates me.

 

Oh and Hermana Wilysnn Wheat. I love you.

 

Vicki bore her testimony yesterday! It was the sweetest thing ever. I love when we work and work and work with less actives and they start coming back and seeing her testimony bloom has been incredible to watch. She's even been considering going on a mission. Her and Miguel! (he was baptized in September) They were both there when we talked about it and they both said they would really pray about it. It just made me think of how grateful I am to be on a mission and to be here in Columbus to help encourage others to share the gospel and bring souls to Christ. I love it out here! I am so blessed and I couldn't be happier. I'm learning so much and so thankful for privilege that I have to be a representative a Jesus Christ.

 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. YOU CAN BE ONE TOO THROUGH ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. SHARE WITH OTHERS WHAT MAKES YOU THE MOST HAPPY.

 

I LOVE Y'ALL. See ya soon. xoxoxo.

 

Sister Case

Christmas in Columbus

November 25, 2013

 

 

Howdy family! How are y'all? This week was incredible! MIRACLES! Thanks for the presents! I loved them so much! Okay and how did y'all choose the most perfect Hallmark cards? Tear Jerkers for sure! (Okay I cried)  So Monday night sister Vogel and Sister Gomez straight up surprised me for exchanges and birthday fun!

Reunited never felt so good.

So now I celebrated it with three people that I dearly love, and they decorated the whole room with streamers and balloons. Sister Peschke made me a cake, the Spicer's threw a little party and made the cutest cupcake looking cake, and even an investigator got me a cake that said "Happy Birthday Sister Case!" My district, members of the branch, and even investigators and less actives texted me! (oh and birthdays on the mish are the best because people let you in. Like we would try to schedule appointments with people and then they would say no.... So we'd text back "but it's Sister Cases' birthday!" And then they would let us come over.) The elders gave me a super cute present, and then my district surprised me with stuff too. Like, I'm too loved.  Best. Birthday. Ever.

Sister Peschke

OH Yeah

Thank you Tanya

Birthday Box

Babe's Birthday Shirt

 District meeting I had to train. Yikes! "how can you be bold without being overbearing?" LOVE. That's what the Spirit told me. I talked about if we truly love those we're teaching, then we can be as bold as we want because they know we care, and want what's best for them. It was an incredible experience preparing for it.
I'm back to myself again! I'm confident and just so happy!
2Nephi 17-35 really did the trick. I was doing my personal study and when I read that it really stuck. There is no reason for me to feel sad or alone, BECAUSE I CAN DO HARD THINGS!  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me! This past week I haven't been keeping to my positive game.  I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There is no reason for me to be upset about anything! Heavenly Father is having me go through experiences so I can learn and grow from them. ~Ether 12:27~
I am a daughter of God. I must walk tall and be strong and always remember who I am.... And that I can pray any time anywhere always!
(plus these parts say "oh my heart" so naturally Heavenly Father knew I needed this little pick me up) It also helped that when I was on exchanges, I had the feeling that I needed to pretend as if I was training. It really helped me to know that,  I can do this as I rely on the spirit.

11-22 is Sister Dumont and I's BFF day. Our lucky numbers put together. We've been making video diaries, so stay tuned for that! And OMH  it S***ED on Thursday! Minor murder scream when I walked out of the members home.

Then we went to the Columbus stroll! Straight up Christmas time and you walk around and get buckets on free food from the stores and we passed out nativity cards.

The Relief Society had a gingerbread making party and Shirley ( a less active) came and brought her daughter!  Her husband is super Catholic so she doesn't come to church or read the book of Mormon EVER, because she doesn't want him to get upset. So, miracle that she came and so did our investigators Bubba and Val. We need to work on our branch being more welcoming when we bring people because they totally ignored them. So when the missionaries bring people PLEASE BE THEIR FRIEND OR AT LEAST SAY HOWDY!

We taught a Jehovah witness! He came to the Peschke's and sister Peschke said "Sisters, you have a visitor." The four of us (because of the exchanges) came down the stairs and talked to him. He said "can I leave you this pamphlet?" "SURE, if we can leave YOU  something!" So now John has a Book of Mormon and a Plan of Salvation pamphlet!

I LOVE THE PEOPLE WE ARE TEACHING!!! Sylvia, Emily, and Cree. Sylvia is 29 and the mother of Emily(11) and Cree (17 months) Sylvia isn't a member and yet pays tithing. Like one week she couldn't come to church but she still had us stop by to get her tithing and she signs up to bring things to the branch parties. She loves testing Heavenly Father and trying out what we say and gaining her own testimony, and she loves to ask questions! Miracle--- we had been constantly asking her when we could teach the law of chastity, because she wanted to learn it without Emily first and she kept dodging the question. THEN OUT OF THE BLUE, she text us asking if we can come over tonight to teach it while Emily is at activity days. (1st off. WHAAT?? Go Emily) well, it just so happens that we are eating dinner at the branch mission leader's house that night! So she comes along with us and we're able to have a member present lesson! (thank heavens, because Sylvia asked some questions that we truly couldn't answer #innocent. You really do learn something new every day.. Ha..ha..) They have been taught forever and are finally set for baptism! January 11!  Even though they could get baptized now. We've taught them everything!
We will bake things, like I am now a pro at cheesecake and the other night we had a movie night and watched the Testaments. Emily and I have our own handshake. Buds for life. We went to her basketball game and I pulled some Mamma Case cheers. Like, I was the loudest one in the gym because NO ONE was doing anything. Pretty soon I learned the rest of the girls names and was cheering for my new maroon team. You would have been proud mom.

Val and Carlos are set for 12.13.13  Bubba (Carlos) is in the fifth grade and such a teddy bear. Val is his grandma and they love coming to activities. I love them so much! Bubba will be an amazing missionary someday.

GJet (georgette) is a hoot and a holler. She's this sassy short  woman.  Sister Gomez and Sister Dumont  started teaching her so it's been about four months. She's now listening to the book of Mormon CDs. The elders gave her son a blessing because he might need surgery. We LOVE going to her house.

 

Joan has been taught forever and is set for 2-22-13. She's ready. We just need to help her find a new job so she can come to church every Sunday. 

 

JMillz (Joyce Miller) is a less active. Oh my heart. 70 and cray to the cray. No really -- one time we were laughing and I jokingly say” Joyce you're crazy!” And then she says “you bet I am! And never forget it!” She tells us all the time that she wishes the nuthouse would come take her away.  Sometimes she talks to herself. Oh in her ringtone is boom boom Pow by black eyed peas.  I straight up die every time her phone rings. She finally came to church on Sunday! She was sassy and not wanting to come in so I was sassy back and I won. She had a lovely time at church. She really just needs a friend who will listen to her for hours… and hours… and hours, oh and a few more hours after that.

 

Cheryl and Wayne! We had our first lesson with them yesterday and they are now set for January 4th 2013! Like the first vision and committing them to baptism just rolled off my tongue!  Wayne has a bunch of health problems but it will all be good. Cheryl is Val’s sister. We met her through Val and have been giving her service by helping set up a fence . SERVICE TRACTING ,  what uppp it worrkkks!

 

Like I'm about to cry as I tell you about Tanya, Tara, and Barb.  They bring me JOY!  We met Tanya through Bro. Varra the very first week here, and had dinner and gave her a BOM.  She said she wants to grow closer to God.  Well PURRFECCT!  Week after week she was busy. Well, I used the good ol’ “But it's my birthday!” and she let us in!  She made us this huge meal at 3:00 in the afternoon, plus we ate the cutest little cake that she got me.  We're straight up best friends.  She's 33 and told us that she's not going to wait on her mom to come talk to us anymore (we were never able to meet up because her mom lives with her and wants them to listen together) but she was now doing this for herself.  Well, we go to Bro. Varra’s for dinner with Sylvia, Emily & Cree, and text Tanya to come over --- so she does and brings along her friend Tara. We're talking to Tara about her religion and her church, and next thing I know I'm Miss Sassy McPhee telling her to come to OUR  church -- and she totally agrees. We give her a BOM and set up a time to meet up. THEN.  (Oh my heart) We have a lesson w/ four investigators at once that don't know each other, and they all become buds and are planning a bowling day. We taught about the Book of Mormon and the intro and Sylvia bore her testimony on the Holy Ghost and it was an amazing experience.  The love I have for each of those people is ridiculous!

 

On Saturday Tanya made prime rib and told us to stop by. Tara was there and they were just so excited to see us.  We talked forever and laughed lots and Barb’s mom came out!  Tara read up to Mosiah 27 in 24 hours.  LIKE WHAT?  She and Tanya were reading it all day.  We sang them a bunch of songs and the Spirit was so strong.  Tanya was crying!  We then taught Barb about the BOM and she accepted Moroni's challenge.   Then she asked us, “What will happen when I die?” and the Spirit totally just led the way and I knew what to say and wasn't nervous. Those three are supposed to get baptized.  We taught Tara how to pray that night, and Tanya texted us later asking if she could pray next week. They are so prepared it’s not even funny.  Tanya would be the best RS president ever. They're ready.

 

This week is transfers so we've cried a lot.  30+ new missionaries are headed our way [the biggest group the Nebraska Omaha mission has ever had!].  Sister Vogel and Sister Gomez said the chances of both of us training were very likely . . .  What?!  I'm at complete peace with transfers because I have total trust in Heavenly Father that he will do what's best and help us be the best missionaries we can be.  I love being a missionary.

 

                                                Love always,

                                    Sister Case  J

 

P.S.  SEE ya in one month! (Skype date)

Last Day as a Teenager

November 18, 2013

 

Howdy! I'm 20 tomorrow? Can you say mid-life mid-life crisis? Best mom in the entire world! Oh and I might have burst into tears when I saw the Dimples cupcakes....and THANK YOU SO MUCH SISTER WOODFIELD FOR THE CUPCAKE TOPPERS! Goodness Marie thank you so much to everyone!

 

Confession session: I love S. Dumont oh so much. Like we bought bff necklaces...but they're sister ones...that say "sisters forever." Funny thing, I cry like once a day now. Mother and Aubree, y'all did this to me. Mostly it's because S Dumont and I break down crying telling each other how much we love each other. Elder Tatafu gave us this amazing mix cd and told us that "When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2 is our song. Stop and go listen to it now! Think of it in a sister missionary kind of way. We listen to it each night on the way home. Another confession: We love the church movie Together Forever. I cry every time I watch it...which is at least once a day basically. Funny story--we were going to teach someone about the Plan of Salvation and saw the movie in our shelf and thought we should watch it to see if it would work with our lesson...which lead to an hour of watching and bawling our eyes out. We really bonded though and talked about our families and experiences...oh and how much we love each other. She's truly my best friend.

 

Sureee I'll confess some more. Zone Training ride home--both bawled our eyes out. I had a role play with S. Shrader about why I came out on a mission and why I'm still here and she helped me realize that Satan has been getting into my head. Like I always think I'm a terrible teacher and I can't get through to anyone and Satan has been beating me up pretty darn bad. We did another role play and I broke down again. I've been feeling soooo inadequate. I later committed to S Shrader that I would look myself in the mirror and tell myself what I'm good at and then pray to Heavenly Father to feel the love that He has for me. I was really scared to do that because I didn't want to be disappointed if He didn't answer me. He still hasn't yet but I have the faith that He will in His own time. He hold the perfect timing for everything. I did receive in my prayer that as I love others more, I'll feel His love for me. I'm constantly praying during lessons to see other's potential and to love them. I'm working on it. S Dumont said I need to figure out how Heavenly Father speaks to ME. I got a blessing last night too. I know everything will be okay.

 

Oh so I'm living the state side mish lyfe and do nails with investigators. That was fun. Way better than walking through some jungles. Oh and (Hanson Blake, I'm all capsing for you) PRESIDENT WESTON GAVE S DUMONT AND I A S/O IN THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE CALL AND TOLD EVERYONE WE'RE DOING AMAZING. So I guess we're doing something right..

 

 

One of our investigators prayed like this, "Hey you, it's me, Melissa. Thanks for letting the sister missionaries come chill with me..." I was smiling the whole time.

 

We went to the Trail Center with GJet and her 2 kids. Between Together Forever and the family movie at the Trail Center, I've been thinking about y'all and how much I love my family! I love this gospel and the knowledge that we have that we can truly be together forever after this life. I'm so grateful that y'all, mother dearest and daddy, we're married in the temple and sealed. The mission has helped me see that family really is everything and I wouldn't give that up for the world.

 

I LOVE Y'ALL SO MUCH AND I MISS Y'ALL AND WISH I COULD CELEBRATE THE BIG 2-0 WITH YOU TOMORROW. EAT SOME DOBA FOR ME! XOXOXO

 

Sister Case

Still Kickin'

November 11, 2013

 

Howdy fambam! OH MY HEART HOW WAS THE STATE MEET?! I was praying for you Mandomo! Today I am wearing purple BECAUSE IT IS S. DUMONT'S 1/2 BIRTHDAY SO NATURALLY I HAVE TO WEAR HER FAV COLOR. Oh and it's 30 degrees and currently feels like 15 so the fact that I'm alive right now is a big hollerz to me.

Yes I walk around like this, people judge, it's fine.  At least I have a sheep on my head.

 Elder Petty is home now?! Snaps to him! Mom, the lady who texted you is Kari Spicer and she is my bestie. She's 27, married to her lover, seved her mission in Boston, violin beast...basically perfect. and omh she found out my birthday is next week (eeeeekkkk!) and is having us over to celebrate! How tender is she? Lolz we went over yesterday for S. Dumont's almost 1/2 bday and 4 month mission bday and it was a ball. She's a sorority girl who loves owls and birthdays so naturally we're besties for the (s/o to bevan blake) resties.

 

Randoms of the week:

1. The new way to say you're tired is: "I'm feelin' jiggity!" Or at least that's what a 3 yr old told me

2. Once upon a time there was this thing called transfers and I was called to serve in Comubus with my oh so special companion S. Dumont. On transfer day, we switched cars with some elders and went on our merry way to cute Columbus. Well I had to write the license plate # down for something and GUESS. WHAT. IT. WAS. My car's license is THP. Like how in the world does that happen?! And we got this car when I got here! Out of alllll the letters those 3 just happened to be put together. AND THEY'RE IN GREEN. Initials and favorite color all in one...rage. Heavenly Father thinks he is soooooo funny....

 

3.Apparently everyone in Sioux City always asks, "Where's Sister Y'all?" Too tender or what?

3. I got a letter from one of the young women in Sioux City and it melted my heart! And Sister Gbogbo gave some of her special banana bread  to Sister Vogel  to give to me.  I LOVE MY SIOUX CITY PEEPS.

4. Some random person asked if S Dumont and I were best friends? um DUH. Glad people notice our love fest for each other.

4.The members we live with just got some serious bronchitis...so..um....help.

 

Okay don't freak out. (That's never a good way to start anything....) This past Friday was interesting...? Like I now feel like an official missionary because I had near death experience! Mom, calm down. We were going to an apt with our investigators--lets call them Jennifer and James--and we were supposed to have dinner and teach them the Plan of Salvation with our cute pirate stuff and we called and reminded them Thursday night. We get there and James answers the door..."Is Jennifer here?" "Ya she's upstairs." *hesitant for a moment* "Well come on in and sit down!" (James got super offended last time when we said we couldn't go in because Jen wasn't home and we felt like we shouldn't upset him..) We started talking to James and he's just not being  himself and we thought Jen was going to come down any second. They love us! They call us their kids. He goes "you never talk about your Ma or Pa." So we started pulling out books and telling stories...and then he tells us he's drunk. Alone with a drunk man...greattttt. Then we hear this knock at the door but no one is there. "Come on in Mary!" Oh ps--Mary is Jens dead sister....and later we heard a knock at the door again and James goes "By Mary!" So um drunk people talk to ghosts? Either way you can cue the twilight zone music. We needed to leave but the spirit was telling us to remain calm and not make any sudden movements. He shows us a slide picture of his little sister so we go up to the lamp and look at it. He starts telling us how his sister's husband was murdered a few weeks ago and he's super upset about it. On the way back to the couch I notice this HUGE pocket knife near my foot. like HUGE. James didn't do anything but he told us some stuff and then AGGRESSIVELY PICKS UP THE GUN ON THE COFFEE TABLE AND COCKS IT....SO NOW WE ARE WITH A DRUNK MAN WITH A KNIFE AND A LOADED GUN...and he throws it back on the table. Okay now I'm sweating and my heart is about to pound out of my chest! He keeps talking to us and takes S. Dumont's hand and is just rubbing it and they're just looking at each other and she's telling him that he's a child of God and stuff and I kid you not I had the thought come to me that I would take a bullet for S Dumont because well--that's how intense it was and it felt like he was going to pick up his gun at any moment. Somehow how I muster up the courage and say we have another appt we need to go to and then HE says the prayer and watches us walk to our car. He keeps saying "call your ma and pa and let them know you love them." We get in the car, drive off, and then pull to the side of the street and just bawl for a smidge. I have never said so many prayers than I did during that 40 minute scare fest. I couldn't stop shaking for a solid hour. BUT ALL IS WELL AND WE PROMISE TO NEVER GO THERE EVER AGAIN. Oh is Jen dead?...that thought came to both our of minds...but I was eyeing my pepper spray! EVERYONE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE PEPPER SPRAY! Anywhooo I love y'all and love every day that I get to breathe and live. So yeehaw to that.

 

  On a funny note--we got hit on by a 70 yr old man. We're trying our hardest to talk to 10 people a day about the gospel and it's HARD. Yesterday we talked to 5 in an hour which we were super proud of. I always think back to when we had that stake mission prep conference,  when I got home and my advisor said "embrace the awkwardness!" So now I just try and think of that whenever I go up to someone. Anywho--we talk to Adolf this old man who's fishing and we ask if we can leave him a Mormon.org card with our number. He said the only way he would call us is if we wanted to have some fun after midnight...sadly our bedtime is at 10:30 so we had to decline...Sorry A!

 

I'm almost out of time but I'll tell you all about our investigators next week and they are true gems. Goodness I love em'!

 

But always been an example and share the gospel with everyone! When trying to talk to 10 people  this week--we met a man who gave us $5 to go buy some hot chocolate. He told us he had Mormon friends growing up that we're great people so he totally respects us missionaries and the work we're doing. He was interested but he respected us and sometimes that's all it takes. So be an example and maybe one day one of your friends might run into some missionaries and who knows! Keep planting seeds everywhere you go!

 

I loovvvveeeee being a missionary! I lovvveeee Nebraska. I lovvveee this gospel. and I lovvveeee y'all!

 

Eat a cupcake for me! xoxoxo

 

Love Always,

 

Sister Case

All is Well

November 4, 2013

 

Howdy ho family-o! How are y'all? I got the pictures and fatty letters so thank you so much! I love being updated on life. When does Elder Petty go home? Isn't it like any day now? I'm so happy you're taking care of them. AND OMH MOM I FREAKED WHEN YOU SAID YOU SAW TREVOR. TREVOR JOHNSON I LOVE YOU. AND I JAM TO COME COME YE SAINTS ON THE DAILY TO HEAR YOUR ANGELIC VOICE. Okay...I got it out of my system...Oh and it's NOVEMBER aka the best month of the year aka my birthday month and therefore I just love life.

 

Random facts (S/o to Bevan Blake) for the week:

-When there is a Husker game, THE WHOLE STATE OF NEBRASKA will be wearing something red or school related. NO joke. I LOVE it. Like stores are completely empty and everyone stops what they're doing. A few weeks ago we were supposed to help this lady move out--because the next day she would be in serious trouble if she wasn't--and she didn't care to do anything until the game was over! And you know how we will sometimes get little flowers on our nails? Ya. NO. People here get N's on their nails. Hahahaha I love love LOVE Nebraska!

-There 22,222 people in Columbus. Like am I meant to be here or am I meant to be here?

-When it's lightening, the whole sky lights up and it's incredible. I could watch it forever and always.

-THERE ARE LEAVES HERE AND I WALK DIRECTLY TO THEM TO HEAR THEM CRUNCH AND IF I COULD RAKE LEAVES ALL THE DAYS OF MY LYFE I WOULD. I LOVE LEAVES.

 

I also love S. Dumont. We're besties for the resties.  I'm 100% myself around her and she's helping me see how to be a better me overall. Like a better version of Carly when it's time to head home. I know I've only been out 2 months and that stuff seems silly to think about, but when I do unfortunately (love ya!) have to come home, I know I'll have a better understanding of how to be Carly and still be a missionary. That probably makes no sense..but hakuana matata I understand it in my noggin.

 

I'm SO thankful that for my 1st area, Sister V and I had to BOTH start fresh and work together to make relationships in the ward. WE were the 1st sisters in Sioux City 2nd either ever or in a verrrryyyyyyy long time so it was a blast getting to know everyone. It's super hard getting to know people when your companion already knows everyone and people are constantly saying "Where's Sister Gomez?" I don't know I would have handled it being brand new. But I'm slowly gaining realationships with our investigators and the ward and this week i'm  going to try my hardest to love the people and be besties with everyone.

 

We had zone conference this week! 7 hours of perfection. Something I've been struggling with is having meaningful prayers and President Weston's training was ALL about that. Goodness I just love him. AND OMH I SAW SISTER HARRIS AND WE BOTH BURST INTO TEARS AT OUR REUNION. Why has the Lord blessed me with best friend status companions? I'm SO lucky.

 

I learned that I need to be more bold! If Heavenly Father puts things into my head, then by golly I need to say them! Steppin up my A+ game this week. I need to #NIKE constantly. I need to trust in the faith that I have and my testimony and go with it. A mission is truly the best thing ever because you're learning and growing and becoming a better YOU!  Like, I AM LIVING MY DREAM RIGHT NOW. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. This is sooo true--"the things I'm learning on my mission would have taken me a lifetime to learn on my own." In this new book we have--Adjusting to Missionary Life--it says, "You will develop the skills, gifts, and strengths, you need MORE QUICKLY. You will feel His help and grow in confidence in your ability to serve the Lord."

 

 Stake conference was the bomb and all about members and missionaries. It was out in Lincoln so roaddddtrippppp. We stayed at the sisters house and THE MEMBERS NAME IS BOB CATS. Like serious s/o to his parents. The whole house was covered in cats and I was dying. But just so you know...the mission has helped me see that all I want is 1 teacup kitty. Like this lady in Sioux City had over 30 cats and was taken out of the house because it wasn't safe or sanitary......so um ya. I guess I won't be toooo crazy of a catlady. Just one little kitty to stay in my frocket all the days of my life.

 

We set 3 people for baptism this week! Ahhhh I'm just so happy for them and the choices that they're making to return to our loving Heavenly Father.

 

I say love sooo much....but it's true. I love this gospel. I love being a missionary. I love y'all!

 

xoxoxo forever and always,

 

Sister Case

I loovvveee tooooo seeee the temple!

October 28, 2013

 

Howdddyyy fambam! Mother Dearest, I got your Halloween package and you're the bee's knees. You are  da besssstttt. Oh and the handy dandy cookbook and pepper spray! You're saving my life really. Best mom award goes to you. Obvi. What's this week's scripture? HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY ZACHARY SIEGRIST AND HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY DADDDDYYY!!!! LOVVVVEEE YOUUUU.

 

 

So I forgot to tell you this...but the week before transfers I FOUND A QDOBA. Did I cry? It's quite possible. Sister V ate her burrito with a knife and fork...I shall be Christlike and not judge her. BUT OMH MY STEAK QUESO BURRITO WAS PERFECTION. The best tender mercy from Heavenly Father.

 

This past week my testimony was a little shaky and being a missionary can be hard because you just see all these flaws that continually get slapped in your face and 18 months isn't even going to fix 1/2 of them...but baby steps, setting goals, and the Atonement all helps. I may or may not have had a "minor" breakdown in the car after a lesson. We were watching "Finding Faith in Christ" and I just felt so far away from my older Brother and that's something I'm really going to work on. I want a better relationship with Him. At the MTC one of my teachers told me that I know OF Christ, but I don't KNOW him. *slap* but I needed to hear that. Jesus Christ and I will be besties before I come home!

 

BEST MOMENT OF MY LYFE. S. Dumont and I couldn't figure out the quote to "Say it...OUTLOUD." And it was KILLING us. So last Monday night in my prayers I jokingly asked Heavenly Father to help me remember where it was from...next thing I know the name of the movie pops into my head! Like whatttttt? It showed me that He was really there listening to me and cares about me and will answer prayers. He is so busy controlling everything yet He still took the time to answer my silly question about a movie. I was in awe! I just blurted out HEAVENLY FATHER YOU'RE THE BEST! Because he truly is! It also made me start wondering about my prayers. He's listening, but is He listening to sincere prayers or random sleepy ones?

 

"You're not going to get a million dollar answer with a ten-cent prayer."

 

I want to give the Lord million dollar prayers because He deserves them and He wants to help me, but first I have to be sincere.

 

My 1st district meeting in Columbus was grand. 3 sets of sisters (one is brand new and one is S. Willis from the MTC) and 3 sets of elders (the 2 in my branch and our zone leaders).  Oh and I love cleaning and organizing now. (It might just be one of those missionary powers mom...don't get too excited) but I love helping and serving others! Plus it's inside service so even bettttteerrrr. I went to a play on Saturday...that was fun. And omh we had dinner with a family and the woman's roommate was from Texas and she hated her and was going crazy on me! It was hilarious...it felt like Uncle Gregory fun. Even her husband was like "I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS SIDE OF YOU BEFORE. TAKE IT EASY."  She's just jealous, that's all.  Oh and Sister. V called yesterday...and I broke down bawling hearing her voice and chatting with her. I guess I'm just in love with her.

 

We met with the Cerna fambam--members--and I just had to cry at their home. (sheeeesh. this week was emotional or was it emotional. just feelin' the spirit. don't mind me.) The spirit is SO strong there. They are very poor and SO humble and yet they fed us and waited until we were done--like they didn't eat with us--and they think missionaries are perfect and treat us like celebs and share everything even when it's all they have. The wife was so happy to talk to us and tell us her problems and find out we were her Visiting Teaching companion. We went to go teach them and instead they taught us. I want to be as humble and loving as the Cerna family. It was a beautiful experience.

 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. When we were teaching Val I kept praying that as long as I didn't plan out what to say that the Spirit would take the wheel and help guide me. At one point I said, "Even when we feel that our faith is struggling, as long as we continue to endure to the end, then our faith will be reaffirmed." So sometimes ENDURING TO THE END is like the trial of our faith and we will receive answers at the end of the rainbow. Do your best and Heavenly Father will do the rest! It was a great lesson for a bunch of things!

 

Friday we got to go to the temple!!!!!!! Crying tears of joy 5 times basically. Can I just get married in the Omaha temple? Oh and the Nauvoo one? Oh and Salt Lake? Oh and Manti? Oh and am I getting married?  Ya...forgot about that tiny detail. But it was SO good. (so good, so good.) Being in the celestial room FULL of missionaries is the coolest thing ever. Just a room full of 19-21 yr olds all trying their hardest to be like Christ. It was like a recharge for us to want to work harder so everyone can be where we were at that moment. Prez and Sister Weston talked to me and gave me loves and omh I just LOVE THEM. It made me think of my own Mama and Papa Case and going with y'all!  It was tender. I looked in the mirror for a split second and I immediately felt God's love for me and right then and there knew that I was BEAUTIFUL and I was reaffirmed that I am truly a daughter of God and that He loves me. I just love the temple!

 

It was a great week and Sister Dumont and I were THE TOP missionaries out of our whole zone! Rachel Berry gold star for us. Goodness I just love it here. Goooooo Huskersssss!

 

I love y'all sooooo muchhhhh! xoxoxo

 

Sister Case

I love leaves in Columbus.

Halloween with Sister Dumont.

 

We switched name tags so for Halloween I went as "Sister Dumont"

Those crazy Sisters at Trunk or Treat