"It's not a race-- it's a journey.... ENJOY THE MOMENT!"

September 15, 2014

Howdy fambam! Holy Hannah I have officially brought out the tights. Nooooooooooo. 

Soooo how are y'all? I can't wait to hear all about Homecoming. yeeehaawww! I love mums. S/O to Texas. and thank you so much for the help with my glasses. I finally have them and can see again. Miracles happen.

Okay time for some stories! Well one--the spirit finally led me to someone through my food cravings. I knew my dreams would come true one of these days! We were praying to decide between 2 people that we should go see and during the prayer "Eli's Deli" popped into my head. And I was truly fighting back the hunger thoughts but I really felt like we should go there. (we do have a potential investigator there and her mom used to be a member? We still need to figure all that out.) So we head over there and at the park before we enter we're able to give a Book of Mormon to these Arabian brother and sister! Sweeettt. But it gets better! We enter the cute ice-cream place and there is Cassie--a girl that works there. She gave us our ice-cream and we started talking to her and she said she just moved here and wants to make friends SO WE INVITED HER TO VOLLEYBALL WITH THE ZONE (best thing evaaa on Mondays!) and she said she was looking for a church to go to. She's super cool! She would go to the YSA elders but still--the spirit led me to ice-cream. Can we just pause for how wonderful that is? Heavenly Father knows and loves me. Official testimony builder on that one.

 

Awkward story--by the ice-cream place again hahaha (I promise I have only been there one time in my entire life.) It was closed when we thought we should go see Andrea--the one who's mother is a member--but this guy is passing by us and we say hi and he keeps walking. DANG IT. Next thing that pops out of my mouth HEY! ARE YOU WEARING A NORTH FACE COAT? Well that gets his attention! He smiles and says yes and starts walking back while I jump up and down and say twinnerrzzz (1. am i awkward or am i awkward? 2. yes, it has gotten that cold that I've brought out the green fuzzy.) His name is Mark Church and he's a gem! He recently went to Salt Lake and talked to all sorts of missionaries at temple square and really enjoyed it all. Sister Purcell had met him before so total blessing that we saw him again! He was asking lots of questions and was telling his concerns on life and how he wishes he could see his family that had passed away again some day. He was just out walking because he had a lot on his mind and needed to think things out. I love them thinkers! We gave him a Book of Mormon, said a prayer with him, and asked him to read a chapter for us. I'm excited for Mark! It's true--if we just open our mouth the spirit will do the rest Even if it's the most lame thing ever it will work! Yeeehawww!

 

We went on a field trip at the trail center to different places that the pioneers went to! I love it here! And it is beautiful!

 

Sister Purcell sang in a lesson for our investigator Jacob. We sang A Child's Prayer and he started crying! We were outside for the lesson and it was freezing but  he says, "That was beautiful. I have goose bumps! and it's not because I'm cold. I feel something good inside me." I don't think it can get more tender than that. I love the Holy Ghost! and I love how it can touch people. Pray that Jacob will read the Book of Mormon and begin to progress! (Live news feed here in council bluffs: OMH JACOB JUST SAT BY ME AT THE LIBRARY. MIRACLES.)

 

So something that I've started to do is pray every day that I will have the opportunity to share my testimony with someone. And I am being able to share it even more! I love it! Actually during Zone Training I was asked to come bear my testimony to everyone and it was a scary struggle, but it was a neat experience because I kept praying for God's will on what to say. It just helped me see that I've grown a lot and I'm so grateful for my Savior. Then at the Tabernacle we had this huge bus tour come in and the senior couple missionaries asked us to share our testimonies with the two groups and it was just tender. 

 

Well, this week is transfers! 2 trail center sisters are coming to the mission so I really don't know if I'll be here next week. It makes me so sad but I have learned so much these 6 weeks. I love the trail center. I love the pioneers. My testimony of them has strengthened immensely. I love their faith and their willingness to obey God. I know that as I continue to pray and ask for Heavenly Father's will and not my own, I'll be more happy, loving, a better disciple, everything! It's incredible to realize that Heavenly Father has the story written out and the game plan ready to go. We just need to take the time to ask Him what it is. I love this gospel!

love always,

Sister Case

Time flies when you're sharing the gospel

Monday September 8, 2014

Howwddyy!! How are y'all?! S/O to getting on last week to find out that NIKKI RAE GOT BAPTIZED. OH MY HEART I AM SO HAPPY AND I STARTED CRYING.(my British friend from BYU that's on the tennis team--y'all met him at a BYU basketball game. Love you Nikki! soooo happy for you!)  OMH you saw Hudson Lights? Stop it. I've never really ever heard them...but I've heard Keith..and he's a Vocal Point member...--well they are all VP members--and we all know how much I'm in love with them...so needless to say I FREAKED OUT.

It's randomly starting to get cold....don't do this to me! I'm straight up begging for it to not happen YET. but then other days it's suppperrrr humid. like you get out of the shower and you're allll sticky for the rest of the day. Honest, I love it hahaha. Okay enough weather talk. I'm not THAT awkward..yet.

Familysearch.com is doing this really neat thing where they can locate your pioneer ancestors and it's only up for just a tiny bit longer so GOOOO SEE ITTT. seriously it's sooo neat!

https://familysearch.org/pioneers/?cid=hp-1659#/

President Weston wants each companionship in the mission to give out at least one Book of Mormon every single day. Some days we get it...some days we don't,...some days we give out 2. We're trying! Last week 265 copies were given out through out the whole mission! That is so great! The Book of Mormon is taking over NOM. Speaking of that gem of a book--need a video to watch? Don't have a family home evening lesson planned out yet? Have no fear--Sister Case is here! (solid ring to it.) We watched this video at zone conference and holy Hannah my love for the Book of Mormon grew even more! PLEASE PLEASE WATCH. Pray before and after too. I can promise you that you will feel the spirit testify to you that the restored gospel is on the earth and that the Book of Mormon is true. That it's another testament of Jesus Christ. You will feel peace and love from our loving Heavenly Father.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-04-004-scriptures-legacy?lang=eng 

August came to church again AND young womens! Please keep them in your prayers. Baby steps but I love em :)

I just want to bear my testimony with this quote from our favorite person, Mr. Walt Disney :)

"Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again. And they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do."

I like to think of that quote as being an example. a member missionary. a worthy priesthood holder. People totally watch every single thing that we do, so we need to make sure that we are on our best behavior and have the light of Christ shining in our eyes. Because through that example, others will want to know of the happiness that we have in our lives and will want to bring their friends along to know of the restored gospel here on the earth. Stick out and make a difference. Something I'm realizing is that it's easier to be normal and complain and be miserable. There are not that many happy people in this world anymore and sometimes it's nicer to just go with the flow and say negative things or get down in the dumps. Who wants to be normal anyways? I'm weird and I love it. I snort when I'm scared. I don't finish the last bit of my food. I sleep with a stuffed animal. oh wellllllll. Because I know that I'm a daughter of God and that He loves me. He loves each of us! And that in itself is something to be happy and smile about. Be an example!

Statue at Kanesville Tabernacle

I love this. I'm on a little spiritual journey thingy right now--and when I've figured this all out I'll tell you all about it :) But I'm finally becoming me and I'm just so happy. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the perfect example.

Shine and share your testimony!

love always,

Sister Case

Birthday Breakfast at the Trail Center

 

Faith in Every Footstep

Tuesday September 2, 2014

Howwwddeeee! How are y'all? Did you do anything fun for labor day? I'm glad y'all were able to go to Uncle Tom's funeral. He was a gem!

Funny stuff--you know that BYU tour of 3 guys that I took? Well one of them somehow got my full name and mission address and sent me a tender little postcard! I was dying! Life is still grand.

Best. Slide. Ever.

 

We're teaching this girl--here in good ol' Kanesville--named August! She 's 12. Her grandma isn't a member but she is very supportive of August learning more about the gospel. Her parents do not want her to learn :( wahhh so we can't meet at her house to teach but we are allowed to go to other places and August and gram came to church yesterday and loved it! The YW swarmed August after sacrament and she is excited for Wednesday night! Fellow shipping is so important! No one came up to Diana (the grandma) so aka if you ever see someone new in church--get your bottom over there and introduce yourself! I was DYING. Help a missionary out. Please keep these two gems in your prayers. August doesn't know anything about Jesus Christ so we are starting from level 0. It's going to be a slow process but if she's coming closer to Christ, then it's all worth it!

The Trail Center is great! It's starting to slow down though. Like Friday I was there for 6 hours and had 0 tours. I really do love it there! It makes me sad to think that I could possibly leave after this transfer and i don't know how long I will be here for so I'm trying to enjoy every second of it!

Brother Brockway.  We live with him and his wife. 

We love having popcorn parties with them.

 

I had 2 super neat experiences at the Trial Center that I want to share! The 1st was this man in a tour for a group of special needs people. (it was a tender mercy b/c the 2nd my bumbum hit 1st chair they walked in. It made me think of my fun times with Circle of Friends in high school.) This man was one of the leaders/sponsors. The main topic that kept coming up with everyone was faith. When we got to the memorial room (the glass room that overlooks the temple and pioneer cemetery) I sang "I Am A Child of God) and that was a very special experience in itself. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us and that we are all His children. By the end of tour, the man was asking why the pioneers would leave everything for this religion. At one point, I knew the question he was going to ask before he even finished--word for word in my head. (so cool!) And the answer that came to me was SHARE THE BOOK OF MORMON. I began to explain its importance and asked if I could share Moroni 10:3-5 and he immediately asked if he could have his own book! I then bore my testimony on the Book of Mormon and he asked if missionaries could come visit him. He told me that missionaries had come to his door a few times before, but he always shooed them away! But after taking a tour, his heart was filled with happiness. He figured that if the pioneers dropped everything to follow this religion, then he should take the time to learn more about it and the peace he was feeling. It was an incredible experience!

I also had the opportunity to take a family on a tour right before we closed. They had just come from the temple doing baptisms. One of the daughters is leaving for her mission next month to Phoenix, AZ and I was able to talk to her and calm down her nerves. It was really tender! We didn't have much time, but I felt very impressed, while in the memorial room, to sing "families can be together forever" and ask how the temple has blessed and affected their lives. Well the mother became a bawling mess and the girls started tearing up as they shared their testimonies and then I started tearing up too. Golly. But the Spirit was there and we all knew--in that little room--that families truly can be together forever.

I'm working out new things and trying to know my Savior better. I love being able to learn and grow. Sister Purcell has been sick lately and so I've been able to step up the mother status and help her. Thank you mother dearest for all that you've taught me. It has been a great experience to love and feel like the Savior does for each of us as his children. I can't wait to be a mommy someday! Which is so funny b/c before my mission i thought everyone was a little gremlin :)

Celebrating Sister Purcell's 4 month mark with Krispie Kreme Doughnuts.

 

I love y'all so much and I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It can change hearts and answer any question of the soul. I would love for you to share your testimony with me! They build me up!

love always,

Sister Case

1 year down.....99 more to go

August 25, 2014

Sooooooo I hit my year mark. #SHAMBLED LIFE. All is well though. Tender moment--we had zone conference on my year mark AND IT WAS IN MY SIOUX CITY CHURCH BUILDING. 1st time I've been back there since I left once upon a time. I loved it! Zone Conference was incredible! I wish I had my notes with me right now. It was allll about the Book of Mormon and it  put so much into perspective of how so many people fought for it and how now it's my turn to share. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has exploded! We have been asked to carry one around with us everywhere and to loan one out everyday. So here we go! And the whole mission is reading the Book of Mormon together from start to finish. We had to underline every single time is says atonement, God, Jesus Christ, or any other form of their names. And we have to circle the word heart every time. The NOM (Nebraska Omaha Mission) missionaries are incredible and I am so grateful to be serving with all of these gems. We will all have a changed heart together. So by next zone conference we will all have read the Book of Mormon. Eek! I am so excited. We also sang the EFY  medley all together and it was incredible. I recorded it :) All of us missionaries truly are like the army of Helaman and I am so happy to be serving a mission right now.

Adding the Book of Mormon to the

 " Little Free Library Box"

 

I sang in one of my tours this week! I felt like I should and it totally brought the spirit in. I really do love to sing. I don't know why I have never really shared that talent with others as much as I could in my life. I'm working on it. I'm really trying to figure out what other talents I have and then use them to share and help others. Can you help me? Strugglesss.

Something that I've realized is that a mission truly never ends. Coming on a mission has helped me see how to be a missionary until the day I die. It's never going to end, really. Hahaha but I'm so obsessed with being a missionary that I sleep with a Book of Mormon under my pillow and sleep with my name tag on....I might be going a little overboard...but I love my cute tag and never want to take it off! Brigham Young said, "There is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life." loovvveee itttt

Buddies I came out with.

My Columbums :)

It's so weird to think that I've always wanted to serve a mission and now I've got only 6 months left. My testimony has grown so much and I ahhhh I am just so grateful! I love the Book of Mormon and I know it's true. I receive personal revelation from it every time I diligently seek. I feel at peace and I know I'm a child of God because He hears me and help me understand what I need to work on, become, or just help me know that everything will be okay. And because I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I have more charity than before. I'm a better listener. I'm more patient. (I know.....it's kind of hard to believe.....since we all know I'm always driving the struggle bus of life.) Having S. Purcell as my companion puts a whole new meaning to being a child of God. I 'm so grateful for this opportunity that I finally have to be a senior companion. I think it took me forever to finally be one because I was super prideful and wanted it for the all the wrong reasons. But now I see the responsibility as a sacred task and privilege. I'm learning how to give correction in a loving way. With S. Purcell as my baby it makes me realize that we are all God's children. I must love my companion and put her 1st and help her with whatever she needs. My needs don't matter. Turning outward is crucial and Heavenly Father is molding me and helping me. If Sister Purcell is so important to me, and helping her feel loved and listened to, think of how important and special we are to Heavenly Father! And when we realize the love that God has for each of us, we only want to uplift one another.

 S. Purcell is preparing me for marriage and motherhood in ways I never thought about.  I just want to have a family and help my own little baby gems. That sounds so weird but it's true. She has opened my eyes to so many things and how to look at life. I love families! The whole choosing a husband thing is pretty intimidating...(holla for not having to deal with that for awhile..) but I know that families are eternal. And I loveee y'all so much. Like I'm so happy! It's veryyyy hard....but I'm happy. My choice!

My first day with Sister Purcell

 

Language is so crucial and important. I've come to know that the only words that should come out of my mouth are kind and gentle words. Even silly words or sarcasm are not okay. Speaking only like the Savior would and living each day as if he were beside me. That's the kind of life I want to live. I know that miracles are all around us every single day and that God is in the details of our lives. I know the atonement is real.

I am so grateful! to be on a mission right now. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father and I just want to make them proud of me and become the potential that they see in me. Here's to a beautiful, exhausting, miracle seeing 6 months! YEEEEHAWWWW!!!

Love always,

Sister Case