I just told you my whole life yesterday.

May 12, 2014

Howdy! Seeing y'all last night was oh so tender! My heart was tickled. I just love you soooo much! Yeehhaawwwww for eternal families!

Miracles are happening here in Columbus! This past week at zone training, Sister Vogel and I were able to give a training and we focused a lot of it on sharing the gospel with those that you don't normally think to--like the girl at the table listening in on the lesson or someone in the kitchen--just really trying to include everyone in on the lesson. That training has really helped me grasp a greater desire to share the gospel with everyone! I mean, if we had the cure for cancer that is what we would be doing--telling everyone about it! So we were at a less actives home and we see that her brother is home. Before we begin, we ask her if he would like to join us but she says he probably wouldn't. Well that would just not cut it for Heavenly Father so we then asked if we could go ask him and she said yes! We go and knock on his door and ask him if he would like to learn more about happiness and how to obtain it and he said okay and joined in the lesson about being happy. It just showed me that as long as we open our mouths, God will handle the rest. He is now an investigator and is really sincere. I'm so excited to go back to their house this week to teach them more!

Another miracle we had was on Sunday morning. Sister Vogel and I are striving to be a star companionship every week and we had no one coming to church! We go to our investigator Matthew's  home (because he said he would come, Saturday night) and he says that his leg is killing him and that he won't be able to make it. "No" was not an  answer we could have! We quickly broke down in testimony and told him that we had the faith that he could make it to church and that his leg would be healed in time. We said a prayer with him and said that we would be back to see how he was feeling in about 15 minutes. We then sprint over to our friends  house and she is  sitting in her chair crying  and is not dressed for church. We listen to her troubles, promise her that the sacrament will help her and share our testimonies. We then sprint to her room and grab some clothes, help her get dressed, do her hair, and go  out the door! Then we sprint to Mathew's (and church starts in 3 minutes....) and he is ready to go! Heavenly Father healed him! We quickly call a member to come pick him up. It was so crazy and stressful but Heavenly Father changed their minds and helped them see that church can heal the wounded heart and even leg. Two more souls were able to take the sacrament and I just had a tickle in my heart. Christ died for every single one of us and so everyone should have the opportunity to take the sacrament. The miracles that happened in those 20 minutes will never be forgotten.

 

I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He is mindful of each and every one of us. I love love love  this gospel. I'm so happy! Share your missionary experiences with me :)

 

love always, forever and a day, and all that jazz,

 

Sister Case

Sis Harris  :)

 

Love me some Appels

 

Moo Cows and Miracles

May 5, 2014

Howdy fambam! How was y'alls week? Elder Weston hahaha he seems like a gem. And s/o to Elder Adams! I'm so happy he came and talked to y'all! How was the concert? And thanks so much the for banana bread! Hulga has been oh so happy :)

 

We had interviews with President this week. He is SOOOO inspired it's insane. He's helping me become fully consecrated and I just love him!

 

Well I just love cute Columbus because random things always pass through town...animals, airplane parts...random objects. It's fun. WELL this week we were at a red light right next to a big truck of cows...and next thing we know, a special cow raises his tail and starts spraying our car with nasties. Needless to say, we were screaming and it seemed like the longest red light of my life....let the good times roll.

 

 Church was oh so grand! The spirit was SO strong during sacrament when people were sharing their testimonies! And our less actives that came bore their testimonies. Oh my heart it was so tender. Miracles are happening.

 

Since my interview I have been trying my hardest to begin being consecrated. It will be a slow process but we have already begun seeing miracles! I'm striving to use the atonement in my life and praying for guidance and strength constantly it feels like--but I'm rewiring my brain for the better! I've been thinking a lot about God's will, and I know that His way is the only way. I can't do things the way I want to because that won't get me anywhere. "There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, and knowing thou lovest me, I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be." I'll go, say, and be what my Heavenly Father wants  me to be. I want Him to put me to work and mold me for the better! I've had quite a few humbling experiences lately and I'm so thankful for them. I love this work and the trust that Heavenly Father has in me to teach His special children.

 

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE Y'ALL ON SUNDAY!!!! XOXOXO

 

Love Always,

 

Sister Case

The Witt's Cat.

Fishing on P-day.

Hailey  and Natalie

More fishing fun

Cornhuskers!!!

 

 

 

 

Stop. Drop. Serve

April 28, 2014

 

Howdy fambam! How was y'alls week? HOW WAS THE CONCERT? OMH Courtney Anne your hair looked so cute! GOOD LUCK TO LUCY SCHOLL WITH YOUR CONCERT!!! XOXO

 

Soooo THE CASTANOVA'S CAME TO CHURCH. We bribed them and said we were singing...like it might not have been the best song of my life but hey,  they came. They were late and so we didn't see them until we were standing up there to sing and I straight up felt like a groom seeing his bride walk down the isle. I ABOUT DIED. TRUE LOVE AND HAPPINESS RIGHT THERE FOLKS.

 

Gjet took us on a workout..."today I preach the word girls.." she is so funny! and she said once she gets back from her trip to Colorado that  she wants to be committed. I JUST LOVE HER.

 

PRISCILLA AND HEATH ARE SET FOR JUNE 21ST! more stories for next week :)

 

 

 

 

 

I'm learning that I am happy when I'm around those that I love. I was simply happy at the Cerna's when we were eating together. I was happy when I was painting Dorothy's (a women at the nursing home) nails. I was happy when I was sitting on Jmillz's,  couch watching Mormon messages with her to strengthen her testimony. I was happy when I was with those individuals because I LOVE them. Therefore, I need to LOVE all of those around me so I can always be happy and help others to find happiness.

I am so thankful for trials. I've had some thrown at me the last three weeks...to the point that I was an orange missionary on the stress test. I'm still a smidge in a little, but I feel like it's going away. I know what I need to work on and what one of the most important things for me to take home from my mission is and I can now see the steps to take to becoming a better me. These last three weeks have been probably the hardest ones on my mission. I wasn't happy about anything. I had no motivation. I felt like a zombie. I still would try to work hard and do all I could to help others...but I wasn't myself or feeling up to it. I felt like I was going in circles and going to be doing the same thing over...and over...and over again. Well after a bawling breakdown at a member's home and a priesthood blessing I was a tiny bit better, but nothing incredible. I've been so stressed to the point that at night I would wake up in the middle of the night and say, "all you have to do is go back to sleep...that is the only thing you have to do" or "all you have to do is mop her floor.." I was having to break down things so tiny or else I would start to crack. I've always loved to say I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! but this last little bit I haven't. I was going through the motions and trying my hardest to endure to the end because I knew I needed to--not because I wanted to--and being a missionary was anything but fun.

It's in this rut where I started studying prayer more. and gratitude. and service. Service has saved my life! When we were helping organize or clean or anything really--I was focused on others and not my stressful "woe is me" thoughts. Turning outward and listening with love has helped so much. I now notice the little blessings and miracles that Heavenly Father puts in my path and I acknowledge them more.

I'm no where near close to becoming my potential but I have hope now. It's possible through the atonement. Ether 12:6 has helped me a lot. I know my trial isn't quite over and I know I will have many more...but I've learned so much. I love my Heavenly Father. He believes in me and as I continue to pray to Him, I am strengthened. It's been hard...but I'm happy. I've learned so much about myself through this one hard spot and I could only have learned it here. So I guess that means...that I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

 

I love y'all! eat a cupcake for me.

 

Sister Case

 

 

 

I have a new favorite holiday

April 21, 2014

 

Howdy fambam!

 

First off--check this outttttt  http://easter.mormon.org/

 

We went to the Trail Center with Jmillz--Sister Joyce Miller--by 69 yr old gem. She's crazy. Like really. But she now wants to start on family history and she WILL get to the temple. I just love her so much!

 

We just got back from Omaha because we went to heaven sent Costco with the Cernas. Good golly I just love them so much! We made a pie together this week too :) yumyum in the tumtum. Hulga was very happy. ( Carly has a nickname for her stomach)

 

 

Sister Harris and I got to stroll the streets of Lincoln together because we had to go up early for Stake Conference. Sooooo tender teaching in Nebraska together after the last time was the MTC. I love her so much! A bosom friend for sure. We were walking and I saw a faded BYU sticker on a car and just ran to the door to talk to that human because helloooo I needed some sort of friendly human in my life at that moment..but the guy who owns the car I don't think is Mormon? Anyways...his roommate answered the door and he seemed super interested and said he would read the Book of Mormon and the Lincoln sisters could come back! All because of a faded sticker. Miracles.

 

 A new favorite holiday? Really? Like April 22nd and Christmas and my birthday don't even compare to EASTER. Golly I just love it! This week I learned and gained such a strong testimony in the Savior and Easter! It really didn't hit me until now how important and special this holiday is. I am so grateful for the sacrifice Christ made for each of us. It is because of Him that we will all be able to live with our families once again and with our Heavenly Father. This atonement is a such a beautiful thing. I feel like a silly goose that it took me until my mission to begin to gain a testimony and understand gospel principals, but I am so happy that I am learning and growing and understanding. I know that Jesus Christ loves me and wants me to be happy. I know that Heavenly Father wants me to understand the love that He has for me as well, and as I do this, I'll be able to help others come unto Christ. I love Sister Vogel and she is exactly what I've needed to help me stretch and grow. The mission is straight up the hardest thing in my life but the things I'm going through are preparing me and I know I will learn from them. Heavenly Father is a gem and I trust him 100% :)

 

I love y'all so much! I love the priesthood and thanks to everyone that honors it! Have such a great week! xoxoxo

 

Sister Case

A little help from my study buddy.

 

Costco with the Cerna family

 

 We Love being Missionaries.

 

 

I live in a Snow Globe

April 14, 2014

HOWDY FAMBAM. Where in the world did the time go?! One year ago I was opening my call  and NOW I'M OUT LIVING MY DREAM. Time should really slow down. And WHAT IS WITH THIS WEATHER. Saturday I was out playing with a goat (doing service for a member)

and then on Sunday it was a blizzard. WHY?

Our recent convert, Sue Witt, is doing incredible! She is constantly glowing and does all her reading and just wants to keep learning and growing and being more confident in the gospel. Their home is full of the spirit and I love teaching them! They just make my heart tickle. Please pray for Syliva Ash and Emily Castillo. They haven't come to church since their confirmation and they now don't want anything to do with the church. Satan attacked right after their baptism at work and we haven't been able to see them since January pretty much.

Sister Vogel and I are going around trying to find less actives....so we've gotten a few slammed doors and screams directed  at us. We found one lady and she says she's Catholic and hasn't been active for 10 years now but was super sweet. We told her the steps to be taken off the branch list and she said she would write a letter. In the meantime MY HEART WAS BREAKING, but we all have our agency. During our time of trying to reach her, her husband (who is not a member) and two little boys would come to the door and talk with us to tell us she wasn't home, but they were so nice! I instantly fell in love with them. I didn't do anything to stop her or bear my testimony or anything and I felt terrible afterwards. My mouth felt like it was glued shut or something. Like hellloooooo Sister Case! Do something! The next morning I was still thinking about it and while reading Alma 5, and this question really hit me: "Have ye spiritually been born of God?" I said yes because I've been baptized and I'm on a mission...but am I really sharing the gospel with others? I 've been too chicken to go up to people lately to give them a Mormon.org card and GET their number. I didn't say anything to Sister Cisneros or bear my testimony. If I truly love this gospel then I should want EVERYONE to know about it too. I need to be more brave and bold! I'm brave in lessons but not while street contacting and I need to step it up! I prayed about it and I told Heavenly Father how sorry I was and He told us to write a letter with our testimonies and just drop in her mailbox. So that's what we did--and Heavenly Father made perfect timing too because the husband actually delivered it. I don't know what will happen, but I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and others and He has a plan for everything. We've told other less actives about writing a letter, but for some reason I have a special place in my heart for Sister Cisneros. I will continue to pray for her and her family and hopefully someday something will happen for their family.

 

I RODE MY VERY FIRST FERRIS WHEEL ON SATURDAYYYY. (don't worry we asked for permission from  the zone leaders...well if I brought them some cotton candy on Wednesday haha) We went to the carnival and passed out a ton of Mormon.org cards! and Brother Vavra came and did the same. Then we met up with the Castanovas! (they didn't come to church. again. aka busted.) Golly I just love them. but we've realized that they need to have more faith so that's what our focus will be on now.

 

I was listening to some talks while getting ready--and "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" came on. Golly I just love that song. It got me realllll good on Sunday. "If the Savior stood beside me....would I try to share the gospel?" HE IS ALWAYS WITH ME THOUGH I DO NOT SEE HIM THERE. I keep forgetting that we are all children of God and that we are all brothers and sisters. So I shouldn't be afraid. Sister Vogel says it's Satan getting to me. He knows that I know that it's really time to put my game face on so he's making me a chicken and I'm letting him! Well not anymore buddy boy! EVERY DAY IS GAME DAY. So here I go! I'm excited to step out into this cold and windy day because I'm going to meet and talk with some of my lovely brothers and sisters.

 

Have a hoppy Easter and remember what it's all about! I love y'all soooooo much. xoxoxo

 

Sister Case

 

 

 

 

The Golden Rule

April 7, 2014

Howdy fambam! Sister Vogel  and I are staying! aka at the end of this transfer I will have been in Columbus for 7 1/2 months! Crazy right?! Time is flllyyyinnnggg by.

 

I trained this past week and I focused it lots on listening with love and really striving to discern the needs of others--something that I struggle with. AND THEN BOOM. CONFERENCE. I LOVE CONFERENCE SOOO MUCH! I love how I now get so much more out of it and truly have the desire to learn and listen to the incredible men and women called of God. I really learned that I need to listen with love AGAIN  and try harder to look deep within and discern the needs of others more. aka if I got to train on it and they spoke about it in conference--Heavenly Father is obviously telling me to step it up and be better. I feel like I'm "liking" everyone around me but I'm not LOVING them. I need to be more positive and smile more and help people see that this gospel brings joy! President Monson's talk on charity realllly hit me! I can't wait to study more when they come out!

 

Not gonna lie....this week was a little rough. Secretly I think it was "everyone hate on the sisters" week. Tara dropped us. Investigators decided to bomb text/swear at us, and we stopped at some less actives homes where they straight up screamed at us and slammed the door. Blahhhh. They'll apologize in heaven so it's fine :) But Elder Holland's talk hit home! We all just need to keep holding on tight and DEFEND OUR TESTIMONIES! No matter how crazy some people can get.

 

Daddy! You would be oh so proud of me! There was a Spanish lady on the street and she was waving at us and trying to talk to us....and I was able to say, "Hi my name is Sister Case." IN SPANISH. Okay I know I sound like some ditzy blonde...but that's really all the Spanish I know!...besides the rest of my freshman year schedule. Anyone want to tutor me? Well I mean...I hope she even understood that....we all know how I struggle.

 

Sister Vogel and I are stuck! We feel like most of our investigators aren't moving forward and those that are...it's very slowly. We're trying to see the vision that He has for us. I feel like it's working with less actives more and I'm excited to really try my hardest to listen to the spirit. I'm working on having His will become my will. I love my Heavenly Father so much and I know that as I listen and am patient that He will lead and guide me. I love this gospel and I love you! Have a great week! Smile. Share that gem of a testimony. Reach out and be a friend.

 

love, hugs, and handshakes

 

Sister Case :)

Rebels With A Cause

March 31, 2014

Howdy fambam! Tomorrow is April? Say whaaattttttt? This week is transfers so send anything  to Omaha please. Cross your fingers that I get to stay here with Sister Vogel (since we all know what happened last time we were together. Rude.) And I can't believe I've officially had my call for one year now! Yee to the haw.

 

Anti s/o to Zach Siegriest for NOT TELLING ME THAT DOBA MADE 2 NEW QUESOS. My mind was blown.

 

Hey. All you kiddos going home for the summer (like what? A whole year of school is almost over?) I'll need your home address's pretty soon! So start sending those gems to yours truly please.

 

I am currently learning how to knit a scarf. Aka it's a sneak attack to get into a less actives home every week. #stateside

 

I'm just oh so happy and loving life! Why? Because I now KNOW that it is possible to be who Heavenly Father knows we can become AND IT'S THROUGH THE ATONEMENT! I'm really trying to be more converted to the Lord and each day I grow closer and closer as I rely on my Savior. I was reading Mosiah 3:19:

 

 For the ^anatural ^bman is an ^cenemy to God, and has been from the ^dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he ^eyields to the enticings of the ^fHoly Spirit, and ^gputteth off the ^hnatural man and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

 The footnote for saint caught my attention because it says NEW! I can become NEW through the atonement of Christ! I have so much love and feel so much strength. I can become my potential because of the atonement! Christ wants so desperately for each of us to be the amazing person that He knows we can all become, so He died for us. The Savior knows us. He remembers each of us from  pre-earth life, so He knows all that we can become and He wants to help! He KNOWS I can become something greater than I even think I can become for myself. He knows me and He knows my strengths and my weaknesses. He knows what I need to help push me along. HE BELIEVES IN ME. I've always loved Jesus, but it finally hit me how much I truly do love Him. He's my older brother and best friend. I am so grateful for Him and all that He continues to do for me.

 

"We're all at different places on the path. But we can work together to help each other 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God, and of all men." ~Carole M. Stephens

 

We truly all are at different stages of our path. #don'tcompare. And as we HELP ONE ANOTHER we push both of us farther on our own individual path without even noticing it. I know that as I turn outwards to help others, I'll be helping myself in the process become the vision that the Savior sees in me!

 

Good golly I just love it all. Oh and OMH Val and Carlos committed to being baptized for April 26th! I love this gospel. Naturally I must say I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY and I love that each new day is a time to grow closer to God.

 

Be bold and brave and share what you know to be true! xoxoxos!

 

Love Always,

Sister Case