OMAHA IS MY HOMAHA

March 2, 2015

HOWDY FAMBAM. Welll this is it! Like...what? Probably the fastest 18 months of my entire life. It still really hasn't clicked in. I have to keep pinching myself to make sure this is all real...but I know that "in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng

I love Nebraska. I love the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I love the husker pride. I love the random sayings. I love corn. I love this place...and I really love my ward. Cold Spring has been oh so lovely and I never want to leave these gems! Another one of our less actives that we've been working with is now active and he even bore his testimony yesterday :) I have seen so many miracles in this ward and I have truly seen the atonement of Jesus Christ change them. I have had a front row seat to God's greatest show.

I don't have them all with me....but here are some of the random quotes of this ward...i heart YSA. 

-It was a really tender experience. Not TINDER. It was TENDER.

-S. Case, when are we going to get married?

-I'm really going to miss Sister Case and all of her bright colors that never match (this was yesterday while bearing his testimony....)

-Quoting Rolling Stones to tie into a lesson on prayer...oh and saying they are the 3 Nephites

-Oh and Sunday School often turns into pokemon or some other old school game topic....

-awkward 3 am texts saying that they are thinking of us and hoping we're having sweet dreams

-A guy kinda tried to ask me on a date for when I got home....ya...freaked out...

-S Case, when the guys in this ward start talking to you after your mission please let them down gently

-You make me feel like a peach

-Having to talk to ward council about guys flirting with sister missionaries

-Someone pointing at us like a "I'm coming for you" when bishop announced speed dating for fhe

So when I'm home all have to show you them all...they are hilarious. I just love my life.

I have loved every minute of being a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I've slept with my name tag on almost my whole mission...and  I sleep with a Book of Mormon under my pillow....I just want it by me at all times. I love holding a Book of Mormon in my head everywhere that I go. These past 18 months have been SO hard but truly wonderful. When I left, I really didn't have a testimony....I thought I did...but it was SO not there. I truly believe that it would have taken me a lifetime to learn and grow and be the person I am today--if I hadn't had the opportunity to learn here on my mission.

My MTC teacher looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Sister Case, you know OF Jesus Christ but you don't know KNOW him." 4 days out and a dagger to the heart. We're still not at a besties  for the resties status...but I know my Savior so much better and I love him with everything inside of me. I KNOW that the atonement is real. I have felt the redeeming power and the enabling power out here in the place I now call home. I know that Christ died for each one of us. The atonement isn't for everyone--it's for each one.

 

For the longest time I always thought, "through being Sister Case, who has Carly become?" but it's more of "who am I BECOMING?" This life is all about progression and I am going to strive to continue to grow so that I can return and live with my Heavenly Father again some day. I've learned that a baby step is still a step...which means success. You can't fail when you attempt.

I've learned how to LOVE. I'm no where near close...but that is one of the biggest things I have gained from my mission. CHARITY. Loving unconditionally. Loving people as they are and helping them to see for themselves what they can become. To step out of my comfort zone and love people the way they want to be loved and not the way that is easiest for me. Listen with love. Put away my struggles and help someone else with theirs. WWJD.  Mom, you always said "if you want a friend, you have to be a friend." And to be honest, I wasn't Christ's friend before the mission...and while out here, I realized that if I wanted to get to know him, then I needed to get to know his friends. His brothers and sisters. Each person I've come in contact with. Love is truly the answer.

I love the priesthood. It is incredible and I am so grateful for it. And I want/will strive to be a covenant keeper all my life. I love the temple and the eternal perspective there. I know that I am a worthy daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.

I've learned lots about myself. I like tomatoes. I'm not the biggest fan of whistling. I'm a really good dumpster diver. I love the smell of manure. I love leggings and despise tights. I'm a fan of the world and it's beauties. I think art is really neat and I love admiring others talents and gifts. Clouds are neat. I love it when people say 'bless you' when I sneeze and when they ask me questions. I actually want to get married now! I want to have an eternal family and make more covenants with God. I want to marry a worthy and active priesthood holder. (all I ask for is a tea cup kitty for a wedding present...) 

I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that Joesph Smith is a prophet of God...there was a point on my mission when I first came out that I didn't believe that....crazy I know. But I am hear to testify that I know that God hears and answers our prayers. If we put in the effort, He will bless us. He is bound when we obey. I know with all my heart that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. The power and strength that I receive from it each day is beautiful to me.

I don't have time to go into details for the rest...so here is a summary of my love for my Savior and Heavenly Father and for the experiences I've had out here. 

I know that trials are blessings in disguise and that as we are humble and submit to God's will we can be strengthened. I love the pioneers and their sacrifice. It is inspiring and I have learned so much from them. God knew what He was doing when He sent me here to serve at the Trail Center because I've learned of enduring to the end, happiness, eternal perspective, covenants, and turning to the Savior. It's not our job to judge--only to love. Speaking only language that uplifts and that never puts down is the only way to speak. Happiness is a choice! The more positive you are, the more your faith increases and your ability to trust God--it's an ongoing circle of joy. Life is wonderful--but it's all about which way you face. We need to enjoy the moment and not live our lives as checkpoints. Gratitude is key. Miracles happen every day. We must look and listen with our hearts, not our eyes and ears. Open communication is needed to succeed. A relationship must be worked on every single day and I am so grateful for each of my companions. Love languages are real and need to be identified. Exact obedience can look and seem lame...but I have a testimony in the miracles that come from it. Just as the atonement is needed to be used in us, we need to allow it work through others and see them as the NEW them and not the old one because everyone deserves a 2nd chance. We must always give people the benefit of the doubt. A smile can go a long way.

This week Heavenly Father gave me a lot of tender mercies where He showed me that my mission was a success to Him...and that He is proud of me. I've prayed to know that almost every day since day one by the time my mission was up....and He has answered it. I saw some people from Sioux City and they still remember me and love me. Sister Gbogbo is getting ready for the temple and would like me to come :) Less actives that I worked with in Hastings are now active and having family home evening every night and reading their scriptures! Random acts of kindness that were done were actually answers to prayers. God is so good! 

I am just so happy. Like I honestly can't stop smiling. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior and I know that they love each and every one of us. I have loved being a missionary and I have been forever changed. My life will never be the same because my heart has grown and it is just so happy. This church is true and the gospel of Jesus Christ has saved me because it changed me. I now know how I need to live my life to return home with honor to Him.

I love y'all so much. Thank you for everything. I am forever grateful.

I'll see you soon :)

forever and always,

SISTER CASE

 

I am a Child of God and HE HAS SENT ME HERE

February 23, 2015

Howdy fambam! Guess what...I'M GOING TO THE ZOOOOOO TODAY. Hahaha everyone has been telling me for forever that I have to go there before my mission is over...ehhh better late than never. (oh and I have one more email time next week!) 

1 Nehpi 3:15 "...As the Lord liveth, and as we live, (I) will not go down unto (my) father in (Texas) until (I) have accomplshed the thing which the Lord hath commanded (me)." ....I think I'm rather funny....

I love Sister Hodges.

So this week was wonderful. I mean...I've had a few minor break downs but all is well. I'll be honest...I feel like my heart is getting ripped out and there's just nothing I can do about it. It just really...hurts. Loving people in a way I've never loved and knowing that I won't be able to be doing this full time anymore. But I understand that it has to finish eventually....because there is more in store and more miracles to see and God's plan is still needing to be fulfilled. This week at one point before getting into bed, I just sat and cried and prayed..."Why do I have to go...don't make me have to do this..." and I just felt such peace. Even though I can't see the big picture in all things, God has allowed me to see parts and that is more than enough for me. This work is true. I have a whole week to listen and love. How great is that?! 

Our investigator--MJ the Muslim--is like our baby. He still struggles with English things..hahahaha like the other day instead of saying "thank you" he texted back "gratitude." What a gem. Well speed dating was at FHE last week (ya. we conveniently were on shift at the Trail Center) and apparently he loved it. So after our lesson this week we asked if there was anything we could do for him #badidea b/c that led to.."Can you teach me how to get a girl's number and ask her on a date?" UGH. Like we don't know how to do that anymore....struggles. But we then had a few role plays on that and taught some things from the Strength of Youth. I feel like I've had to do this quite a few times on my mission....WHY ME. But it was hilarious. Just loving life over here in Nebraska.

I ate an Ox tail.

 

2 of the less actives that we have been working with are officially active members! And one of them now really wants to go to baptisms for the dead and another one will be on the active status next week and oh my heart, miracles! I might have not had all these baptisms or anything..but helping find the lost sheep and bring them back to the fold has been HARD but so incredible as well. I am very grateful for all of it!

I'm learning lots about charity. We have this one guy in our ward that just pushes everyone away! And when he lets you in...he gets mad for showing his feelings and then is even worse. Like he can be straight up MEAN but it's the most incredible thing b/c I still love him. I truly desire to help him come unto Christ. I mean...we all need 2nd chances. I need like 117 chances each day from God...and so it should be no different with all of those around us. We need to continue to love. To give other's the benefit of the doubt. To keep trying to encourage. He will probably never know this...but he has helped me come to know my Savior and the love that he has for each of us. People really just need a friend and someone to turn to even when we feel they don't deserve it. We just need to be like Christ :)

This week I've also learned that coming to know the savior isn't just an 18 month gig...but a whole life time journey. I love my Savior. I am so grateful that I was called to NEBRASKA. God sent me here--and it's exactly where I needed to be. Where I could meet the people that changed my heart and were examples to me. Where I could meet people that would become family. Where I shared my testimony and watched it grow. I love this place and I know that Thomas S. Monson is called of God because I was sent to HERE.  Life is better when you're living "the good life."

Love Always,

Sister Case

We got our "flying sheets" and were not too happy about it.  Elder Elieson and Sister Tune.

 

Someone decided to put Elder Card and I as the screen saver... Not Funny!

One last Matching Wednesday. :)

 

ENJOY to the end

February 16, 2015

Howdy fambam!! How was your Valentines Day? President and Sister Weston did the Trail Center training that morning and it was so tender. (and they brought donuts from Krispy Kreme aka my favorite. Happy and fluffy. Go Big. or Go Home. or GO HOME BIG.) It was about charity and eternal companions and always making sure that God is our #1 valentine. I JUST LOVE HELPING OTHERS FEEL LOVED AND THAT THEY ARE CHILDREN OF GOD. It's one of the best holidays out there if you ask me.

Can I just say how much I love my ward? 6 months of fun and growing and miracles. I've been so blessed to be here this whole time with all the changes and new bishopric and being able to truly see the growth in others when it looks like they are hardly moving anywhere from a distance...but I've seen changes. And I am so grateful that I'm being able to see all of these miracles. The love that I have for the people in this area is ridiculous. I've grown to love the people in the cold spring area more than any other area i feel like. They just all mean so much to me.

Kayla (and another less active that we've been working with named Richard) both met with Bishop this Sunday FINALLY. We've been trying to get this to happen since I got here. Kayla came to a baptism and a RS stake fireside last night. Every time she leaves--she's happier. The spirit is slowly working within her and I just love it. I LOVE HER. She swore that she would never step foot in a Mormon church ever again...and now she's coming every week. She also said she would never meet with Bishop....and she now respects him and will be friendly. She's more comfortable with the members and is beginning to trust them. She's making friends. She's been reading the Book of Mormon every single day. She has lots to work on....but the progress that she has made is beautiful. I have been able to witness the atonement changing someone right before my very eyes. I am so blessed to be a missionary.

We had zone Olympics this week! My new name: Coach Case. hahaha it was so fun! I got a whistle for it and everything. I love our Nommies.

 I really am just trying to enjoy every moment. To really just spend the time loving every single person. To have charity. To take the time to see all the beauty that Heavenly Father put here in Nebraska. I love this mormon message. It is so good! Check it out :)  http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/moments-that-matter-most-2

 

 

We went to the temple this week and oh my heart did I just love it. Sneaky President Weston shakes my hand and says, "I'll see you soon....in 2 weeks...." and smiles and walks away. WHAT. Obviously he doesn't know my secret plans to run through the airport and hide away and then have a member come rescue me and I run the streets of Omaha to share the gospel and stay here forever...I'm kidding....not really..... But my eyes were opened to loving the gift and talents that others have and taking the time to appreciate them more. My mission has really helped me to see things in such a different way. I really look at life differently now. And it helped me to see how sneaky Satan really is. He just knows how to get into our heads...and make us feel like we're nothing. Ugh. But I've just really been trying to be even happier and enjoy the small things. To notice the un-noticed. We just have to look at things with our hearts.

I really could go on forever with all the miracles I've seen this week. But something that I know from the bottom of my heart is that God knows each of us individually. He knows exactly what we are going through. And what we need. And who to come to the rescue. He has everything planned out so perfectly. He is busy taking care of 10,000 different things in our lives when we might only notice 3 of them. He is in the details of our lives. I've seen it in my life and all those around me who I am luckily enough to serve. He LOVES us. We are all children of God. The atonement can and should be used every single day. Stacey made a comment at church "I'm not the kind of person that's a jumping jelly bean and loves life...." and everyone just looks at me HAHHAHA it was so funny! But it's so true. I am just SO HAPPY. I love life. I love my Savior. Like oh my heart I'm crying at the computer...but I just have so much joy in my heart for this gospel and for others. Like I have no time to be sad that this magical time here is ending because there is too much to be grateful for all around me. I have never been so at peace. Like always, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

I love y'all buckets. xoxo

Sister Case

Pinky Promises

February 9, 2015

Howdy fambam!!! AMANDA KARREN YOU CAN DRIVE? and date? and this is all sooooo wrong. I just don't understand life. I'm so happy y'all had a wonderful time at the temple! I get to go this Friday and I am soooo excited. I am so grateful for a mission to help me see what this life is all about. and I really do have such a deep love for the temple now. My world has changed and I am so grateful for it.

 

Want to hear some of the saddest things ever? (dramatic me style)

1. We have this less active sister that Bishop wants us to go find and visit and her name is Taylor Smith. When I was looking it up, I look at Sister Hodges and go "Taylor Smith....that sounds like another name that I know....Taylor S.....who is it?" I eventually give up and after the prayer it hits me. TAYLOR SWIFT. I FORGOT TAYLOR SWIFT'S NAME. OH MY HEART.

 

 2. A bunch of us sisters are downstairs eating in the kitchen and someone says a comment about St. Patrick's Day...well I pipe up that if anyone doesn't wear green then I will pinch them so beware. All of a sudden the room gets all quite and everyone just looks at me....AND IT HIT ME THAT I WON'T BE THERE TO PINCH MY TENDER SISTERS. Yep. I just burst into tears. It's fine. and then started having a laughing panic attack.

 

Wellll besides that THIS WEEK WAS GREAT. I just love it. I haven't taken a single tour all week though....so basically tell people to take a road trip up here so they can watch Meet the Mormons and learn about the pioneers and have a grand old tour time.

 

We had Mission Leadership Council this week and it was soooo good.

 

It was all about covenants and boy did I learn lots. It just really made me think--am I doing things b/c I have covenanted to do them? or do I do things grudgingly? It was just this incredible outlook on things for me. And when we make and keep covenants and are obedient to them--GOD IS BOUND to bless us.

 

A covenant person:

-loves everyone and know that charity never faileth

-is obedient

-repents daily

-keeps themselves clean and pure spiritually

-helps others keep their covenants

-gives service to others

-is loyal to God

-follows God's will and not his own

-has purpose behind his actions

-preserves against hardship with the Savior near

My Sistas: Hodges, Whipple and Howes.

 

I love that when we partake of the sacrament--we renew ALL of our covenants. And I know that covenant keepers and covenant makers are what God wants.  President Weston said something that really hit home to me--"Each day, ask yourself 'is this helping me to become?'" So this week really take the time to think about your choices and actions and if it's helping you to keep your covenants and BECOME.

"It's not about all we have done. It's about who we've become." 

 

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, who helps me to become someone I never even imagined possible. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth. And I know that we can all know that for ourselves as we take the time to truly seek Him.

 

I love y'all!

 

Sister Case

Abe Lincoln's Birthday

Celebreties

 

 

I. Am. A. SURVIVOR

February 2, 2015

HOWDY FAMBAM. Oh my heart. I am alive. Super Bowl Sunday....never do I ever have to deal with that as a missionary ever again. You could be so proud--I never even said I was cold. (okay I only did once b/c I was taking a picture for sister Hodges and I had to take my glove off and I thought I was going to just amputate it b/c there was no feeling there afterwards...but other then that...)

Heavenly Father is so kind. I kept telling Sister Hodges that we needed to have appointments for Sunday b/c last super bowl was rough and I just wanted to be prepared...and then everything got cancelled. Church, the trail center, break the fast, all of it! BUT I prayed and promised the Lord that I would be positive all day and that whatever came our way, I would love it! The second I made that promise...our cars were grounded. ALL IS WELL.

Hahaha I placed sticky notes everywhere before I went to bed reminding myself that it was going to be the best day of my mission....and it really was a great day! Attitude is everything. We helped some people shovel out their cars and push them, and 2 members even came and picked us up even though it was a "emergency only" travel status. And we were able to watch The Testaments with our investigator (MJ--he's Muslim. and super neat!) at Stacey's. It was just a wonderful experience to get on my knees last night and not pray for all the things that I needed or didn't go right...but to just say thank you for all that DID work out.

IT'S FEBRUARY. I LOVE FEBRUARY. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE MONTHS. It's all focused on Charity and I just love loveeeee. And helping others feel loved. And being an instrument in God's hands to help them feel of God's love. I mean, if we all had that kind of attitude every single day--think of how much happier this world would be! So try your hardest to do at least one act of charity every single day this month!

We're back to having exchanges with the other sisters and it went really well. WE HAD 6 DIFFERENT TEAM UPS. Can you say miracles? I love this ward! And they're willingness to serve.

Apparently 26 missionaries are leaving this transfer..and only 9 are coming in. PEOPLE. GO ON MISSIONS AND COME TO NOM. And if anyone would ever like to...READ THIS TALK. Oh my heart it is incredible. http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=882

What else....oh! We had a chat this week at the Trail Center..with a murder. That was fun. I mean...he said he wanted to be forgiven and all these things and of course we testified of the atonement of Jesus Christ and how it could heal him...we are such gullible missionaries...well he eventually said "hail satan!" and logged off. My life. I LOVE IT. every. single. ridiculous. second. 

 

Can I just say that I'm obsessed with my mission? We were having to scrape all the ice off our car and it was supppper stuck! and Sister Hodges goes, "Sister Case, take all your anger out  on that chunk right there." So I started yelling "I DON'T WANT TO END MY MISSION. I AM STAYING HERE FOREVERRR." and taddaaaa I got all the ice off.

But in all seriousness, I am so grateful for the opportunity that we each have to serve and use the atonement and become new! A member took us out to dinner and was telling us how he was so grateful for things and always tries to serve b/c God had given him a second chance at life. (he's had lots of near death experiences) and that totally got me thinking about how a mission is honestly a second chance at life. God loves and trusts each of us enough to go out and teach His children even though we are totally not capable of a lot of  things--but He always makes it work out..and then molds and shapes us in the process. 3 Nephi 12:47 "Old things are done away, and all things have become new." I feel like I say this every week--but I am so grateful for the atonement and how it helps us become better as we allow ourselves to come unto Christ.

I feel like I talk about happiness alllll the time--but that is one of the biggest things that I'm learning on my mission. I've always been a pretty happy person, but on my mission I've learned and gained a testimony of TRUE happiness.

I know that happiness is a choice. I know that as we put our trust in God, and give Him our hearts--give up our will for His--then we WILL be happy b/c we will see things in a fresh view. A brighter view. True happiness comes from reading the scriptures, keeping the commandments, repenting daily, praying with real intent, renewing our covenants, service, and helping others come unto Christ. True happiness comes from TRYING and knowing that God will accept our effort.

I'm just a happy human and I'm loving seeing all the little blessings around me daily.

I love y'all!

Sister Case

I'm a sprinter

January 26, 2015

 

Howdy fambam! OH MY HEART THOSE PETER PAN PICTURES ARE THE CUTEST THINGS OF MY LIFE. I'm obsessed. Oh and the weather here:God loves me. It's been like 60! Best January of my entire existence. I feel like these weeks keep going by faster..and faster...and I'm just trying to take it day by day or even hour by hour at this point to enjoy every second. I'M STAYING IN COLD SPRINGS!!!! AND AT THE TRAIL CENTER. Heavenly Father spoils me, as Sister Whipple would say haha. I am just so grateful. I mean...dying in YSA might not be the best...they already have my last supper basically ward party planned...and some have told me of people they want me to "hang out" with up at BYU...and a few try to sneak in by calling me by my first name....they are all crazy. But I just laugh and pretend that I'm living in NE the rest of my days. I love this ward SO much. I'm sure I'll have a mental breakdown when reality hits...but until then I'm JUST SO HAPPY AND LOVING LIFE AND BEING A MISSIONARY.

 

 

I saw Sister Dumont on her last night. God loves us. the end.

 

I have a new companion...again....haha. Her name is Sister Hodges and she's from Nampa, ID. We are Sister Training Leaders together. I'm so pumped to do it again! She is so cute! I've had a new companion every single transfer for the last 7 1/2 months now....either that means I will never get married b/c I can't even hold on to a companion for 6 weeks...or Heavenly Father has something else in store. Actually I'm really grateful b/c I've been companions with like a 3rd of the Trail Center  hahaha and President's goal for me is to help unify the TC and being with so many different companions has really helped strengthen my relationships with them. and I'll be honest, not being a STL last transfer was super sad and hard for me b/c I felt like I wasn't good enough and things...but I totally see the miracles and blessings from it. This past transfer I was able to just really bond with the sisters and they trusted me more and confided in me b/c I wasn't a leader. (the second you have leadership you're the last to hear about anything) I really needed that to better help the sisters THIS transfer. Heavenly Father is so aware of every single thing in our lives and I know that He is always striving to benefit our lives.

I also moved into my 4TH elder apartment. God is making up for the fact of not having to deal with brothers my whole life....I love my case girls more than ever now haha.

Maggie dropped us :( Which is super sad b/c she believes it all and wants it in her life and wants her future family to have this happiness...but she told her parents and they freaked out! And since they're still paying for her life, she really needs them and their support and love she said she couldn't hurt their feelings. noooooo. But she asked us to pray for her that she would be able to find this again in her future life and be able to figure all this out one day. I have great faith that Maggie will join the church someday. It's not now--but hey, a super seed has been planted :) and that's all we can do IS INVITE.

I have a HUGE testimony in BEING STILL. Truly allowing yourself to listen to the spirit is so crucial to growing. The Trail Center has taught me that one. I was running to the theater from the prayer closet before my video was up and I just took a deep and I heard a line in the film that I've heard 1,000 times but finally truly listened to it. "We put our trust in God, and He helped us through." That just stood out to me soooo much and I felt at peace. Then I walk into the room and the lady is crying, saying how that last line is what really got her. MIRACLES. They still exist.

I was able to receive a blessing from Bishop Biggs yesterday, and boy did it just tickle my heart. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each and every one of us. A smile can do a lot for someone else...and ourselves. Charity has been the big thing to me almost my whole mission. This guy recently told me that that charity is like the cargo on a ship. You could have a ship going somewhere, but if you don't have any cargo then it's pointless. Same as us--we could have all the faith and hope and different things..but if we don't have charity then our journey is pointless. I still have buckets to improve on, but that's why I am so grateful for prayer and the atonement.

When we're charitable, we're happy. When we're happy, we see with our hearts. I know this to be true.

I love y'all!!!

Sister Case

 

 

Wedding Crashers

January 20, 2015

 

Howdy fambam! ahhhh so much to say of happiness! Well for one I LOVE YOU NIKKI. AND SISTER DUMONT. I can't believe they are heading home. WHAT. And omh I can't believe you were able to see Xan. Seriously tickled my heart. Sooo happy. She is such a gem.

 

Transfers are this week! I mean I would LOVE to stay in Cold Springs...but I've told Heavenly Father that I'll do whatever he asks. You just never know what's going to happen--and a few sisters last transfer moved somewhere else for their last one...bahh...all is well!

 

The Cleverly's--the Trail Center directors--finished their mission this week. So the Crandell's are the new ones. I haven't met them yet though. So lots of new changes and new senior couples. (and heyyyy seriously every couple that's able,  should serve a mission....especially here at the Trail Center...just sayin') And when I was saying 'see ya later' to Elder Cleverly he said "I'm so happy that you were assigned here." AHHH OH MY HEART I JUST MELTED. IT WAS SO TENDER. I really do love it here and all that I've learned from them and the pioneers and about myself. It has truly been an adventure.

 

At the chiropractor I was wearing a husker shirt and the lady goes, "are you a native Nebraskan?" PEOPLE THINK I'M A LOCAL. They can just tell in my eyes that I love Nebraska...and the huskers...obviously. hahaha so  I'm a native. It's official.

 

I LOVE WEDDINGS. This couple in our ward got married and they asked us to help with it. It was so fun!!! No one else better be getting married in the next little bit....aka Carly Hunter.....

 

 

Ya I am such a jumbled mess today. sorry.

 

Neat miracle of the week--Stacey Vance took us to lunch to Wheat Fields (aka Disney World) and it was such a tender lesson and testimony builder to me. God is in the details of our lives. Right before her lesson, Sister Powell and I had watched an episode of the District and Elder Christensen is talking to Jinx and really just saying how much he loves her and how much God loves her and it really hit me as we watched it. Well fast forward 45 minutes later and Sister Powell starts doing the same thing! It just really hit me that we TRULY are representatives of Jesus Christ. that we were on this earth @ this time to speak for him what he would say to Stacey. I just started tearing up, there in a piece of Disney World. All I could add was "as a representative of Jesus Christ, we are here  to tell you that Heavenly Father loves you. He knows you and He is proud of you." I can't even truly express how I felt in that moment. But it hit me that our little name tag meant the world to me in that brief moment. I love being a missionary. I love being a helping hand for God. I love teaching complete strangers about the restoration of Jesus Christ's gospel and seeing a little flicker of light come in as they understand what they once knew.

 

I'll be honest--I've been having a few thoughts of worry here and there. The end of My mission is coming up and what good have I done? I've felt like a little planter my whole time. But I am here to testify that no effort is wasted. Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us and He knows the good that we're doing. He knows when you lose some sleep to go that extra mile to fulfill your calling. He knows when you have no time but you still make dinner for someone that needs it more. He knows when you're going out of your comfort zone to make someone feel wanted and included. He knows it all. And He is so grateful for all the big and small things that we each do. Because as we help others, we're truly helping ourselves be happy and love others and serve God more. I am here to testify that we are all God's children. That He LOVES us. And as we serve Him in any possible way, we find joy in our own personal journey.

 

I love y'all! break a leg this weekend!

 

Sister Case