MERRRRYYYYYYY CHRRISSTTMMAASSS!!

December 22, 2014

HOWDY FAMBAM. OH MY HEART I AM JUST SO EXCITED TO SEE Y'ALL. It's going to be oh so wonderful. Just a heads up again I have 40 minutes MAX so NO CRYING is allowed. hahaha glad we got that taken care of.

 

There are so many interesting people here it kills me. And I love how it's possible to talk to people about anything. This guy was walking out of his apartment and he was a YSAer so we totally had to swoop in. Next thing I know I'm talking about Mt. Dew flavors with him...but hey I made a connection real fast so it all worked out and he actually started opening up more. *s/o to all the NOM elders for being obsessed with Mt. Dew so I actually knew what to talk about*  Hahaha I love being a missionary. I have fully embraced the awkwardness. His name is Alex...and he's apart of the sexy nerds club here in Omaha. OH MY HEART WHEN DID THAT BECOME A THING. Straight up group of nerds that get together on the weekends at bars and talk about video games and ....other things.....but he said he might look at He Is The Gift so mission accomplished.

 

It was Sister Powell's birthday last Tuesday so it was such a fun day and I was able to be oh so sneaky the whole time. And can I just say that birthday's on the mission are true miracles? Hahaha so I texted basically everyone in the phone telling them it was her birthday and as a present we would like to come visit...and super super SUPER less actives were responding and it was a grand old time. The Lord is so good!

 

KAYLA CAME TO CHURCH AGAIN THIS WEEK AND STAYED FOR ALL 3 HOURS. She ASKED us to call and wake her up. Miracles. I just love her sooo much. We had a lesson with her earlier this week and at one point Sister Powell reads a scripture to her about trusting in the Lord and Kayla with a dead straight face and wayyyy too much sass says, "I already know that." Sister Powell looked straight up terrified. Poor thing. I didn't warn her enough I guess. But it ended good. She was yelling about how  all the people in the church are hypocrites and ladeeedaaa so now she has committed to coming to church for 3 months straight and she plans on proving that this church is wrong. She seriously kills me. Pretty sure I threw my planner at her the other day b/c she was being so difficult...kindly of course....and she loved it and started laughing. I really don't understand her hahaha but I love her to death.This is our relationship in a nut shell: in Sunday school the tithing settlement clipboard was getting passed around and I pass it to her and say "you can just go meet with the bishop and talk to him...he really wants to meet with you!" "...nice try Case..." and we have this 10 second glare stare down and then I lose on purpose and smile at her and she just rolls her eyes at me and shakes her head. Yep, that sums it up quite well. It was really tender though b/c when we were  walking up with her to have a lesson she just looked different and it actually took my breath away for a second. She looked happier. The spirit is trying sooo hard to shine through...but she keeps trying to kick it out. But it was just a testimony builder to me that Heavenly Father knows and loves her and wants her to know that. She has come such a long way!!

 

We had Christmas zone conference this week and Sister Dumont and I were there together and sang a song. I feel like I'm singing wayyy too much lately haha. But it was so great to be with the best friend again. God loves us!

 

And we went to the temple too! I LOVE THE TEMPLE. So magical.

 

I love this time of year and I love He Is The Gift and sharing it with everyone at the Trail Center. I love the spirit that it brings into the room and how people are truly happier afterwards. I was walking past this one women (who was not a member) and she tells her little boy, "that made mommy have a better day." WAHHH TOOO TENDER. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. He truly is the gift and #because of him we can find true happiness in our lives. Have such a merry Christmas and never forget what it's all about!

 

LOVE YOU. See you soooon

 

Sister Case

 

Ca*Pow

December 15, 2015

Howwwdddeeeeeee. How are y'all? So fun to see all y'all for the concerts. Y'all looked all snazzy. AND SISTER ALEXIS JANE ANDERSON I LOVE YOU AND WELCOME HOME BABY BOO BESTIE. This week was crazy. CRAZY. My companion left me and then I found out my apartment was getting shut down so we needed to clean and move out and we were practically at the trail center all week so we hardly could see anyone and woof. But all is well. I have survived another one. So many sisters went home again and I just love and miss them all. Sister Lelle left me. Ughhh. Shambled life, let me tell you. So I was put with Sister Powell for a few days b/c her companion went home as well. Funny thing--we're actually real deal companions! So you can just call us Ca*Pow! from now on.

We shall accept it. She is the cutest thing in the world! She's from the Tri cities in Washington and she's been out for about 6 months and I'm her 2nd companion. I'm still at the trail center and I'm still in Cold Springs! Life is oh so grand. The only sad part is that with so many sisters leaving the mission I was released as a Sister Training Leader...and let me tell you--I was oh so sad. But it was a great learning experience for the short 6 weeks and I'm learning lots from it all ready. It's really just all in how you look at it, so I'll be positive about it all. All is well!

Stacey Vance and I sang this song in sacrament. It was way hard...but I think it went okay? what else....Oh. I basically got dumped this week and had my heart ripped out. (Yep, I'm still dramatic old me.) We had our final lesson with Angie and it was truly awful. Stacey was with me (while Sister Powell was on team ups in her old ward) and we talked things out. Satan is so mean! She wanted to read up on all this anti stuff and she didn't even try to talk to other active members and I just bawled the whole way home afterwards. She said she would still come to activities and things but she didn't want to be a part of the church anymore. On a positive note.....this random guy called us saying he just got home from his mission in Hungry and had a friend that wanted to know more about the church and wanted to meet up before heading out to Utah. *s/o to Mitch Young forever and always* So we now have this super cute girl named Sara that we're teaching. So all and all it was a rough week--but God still gives us miracles and knows how to show His love for us. True gem.

And can I just say that I love the trail center! I had some INCREDIBLE tours this week and every single time I'm there I gain a stronger testimony that God hears and answers prayers and is mindful of each and every one of us. The Spirit is the true teacher and I'm in awe at times at the things that are said. The Trail Center gallery is truly like a portal. They enter in at Nauvoo and are changed by the time they reach Salt Lake--JUST LIKE THE PIONEERS. I can't wait to tell you all of the wonderful miracles I've witnessed at that special place.

Oh and some people have been asking me what I want for Christmas--and all I really want is for each person to write their testimony on whatever is dear to their hearts. I grow from others testimonies and would love to read them!

I love y'all soooo much. I just love my Savior and all that he does for me each and every day.

xoxo,

Sister Case

State Pizzas with Sister Howe

Sister Powell... My true Homie

Besties :)

NOM FamBam

Elder Sadler and Sister Powell

Volleyball Gangeroo

The Dream Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miracles

December 8, 2014

Howddyyyy!!!! Congrats Amanda! Golly you are just the best! How was y'alls week? I feel like I have 200 things to say!

 

 Fun stuff of the week: we get to have meetings with the stake presidency and some of the high council and that's so great. I went to Joes Bros cupcakes (won on the food network show or something for cupcake wars) and ehhhh still not as good as Dimples--just in case you were wondering. When we were on exchanges I went with another sister to her area and the Westons had signed up to feed them. Ahhhh. Dinner with President. It was so great! And then he says a few comments about the M word marriage (ps. s/o to Bevan Blake for the fb proposal. #LOVE.) But President and Sister Weston are so incredible and I am so grateful for their example in my life! To all those love seekers out there--here are Sister Weston's 3 most important things when choosing who to marry: 1. Loves God more than you 2. honors his priesthood 3.treats you like a queen. Oh and BEST THING EVER. We had ANOTHER general authority come and speak with us, (just the Trail Center) Elder Evans, and he's like in charge of the missionary program! When he was bearing his testimony he said, I normally don't do this but I feel strongly to bless each of you sisters in this room that you WILL find someone who will take you to the temple to be married and sealed for eternity. IT WAS SO TENDER.  And he talked about how the mission is not the best thing of our lives--it's PREPARING us for the best thing of our lives, which is to have children and help them discover and embrace the gift of Christ. And all 3 general authorities have such powerful testimonies. And when they say, "I KNOW that Christ lives..." golly the spirit in that room. Incredible. It has been such a joy and a privilege to spend some quality time with each of them.

Sister Lelle is leaving me tomorrow. Saddest of all sads. She is such an incredible missionary and I love her to death.

Sister Ringggssss

 

Underneath the Kanesville Tabernacle

Love you Sis Lelle

Saying Goodbye to Sis Lelle

 

Sister Vogel is spending the night tonight!!! Soooo pumped.

Saying goodbye to Sis Vogel

Well I almost died this week...again. I went to give these men a "He is the Gift" card and then all of a sudden this one man starts asking for a Bible and getting super close and his eyes....HIS EYES WERE SO SCARY...anywho. I'm alive. He kept saying to come to his car and we were like ummmm no. And then he starts following us and his voice is getting super aggressive and angry and that he is the true God with 6 stars and cows and I have no clue...and that if we were true Mormons we would come to his car. Okay so I like was about to break down and bawl and I was calling someone to come save us....but then an ANGEL CAME. Straight up angel named Mary....this black lady in a shower cap comes out of the apartment complex and starts yelling at him to leave us alone hahahahaha. Best thing of my life. Seriously. And so we start running away...and she calls us back when he leaves and we give her a hug and a "He is the gift" card. She said she's Catholic but said she would watch the video. but she is a true angel in my book.

Assistants

District December 2014

So there are a few lessons where I totally wish that I was as cool as the district to have them recorded for me...and I feel like every lesson with Kayla is like that. I LOVE HER.  But she has such a special spot in my heart! She is truly one of my dearest friends. When we asked her to come hear us speak in church a few weeks ago we told her to please come--not as these evil missionaries who say you should, but as a friend to support another friend. And I truly meant that. Well we had a lesson with her on Friday and she's telling us the church is only 85% correct and how she has been called by God to fix the 15%...oh boy. Well we start asking her the blessings she has seen by keeping all the commandments and she tells us that she now has a car...that is so great Kayla! How are you using your car to keep commandment #4--keeping the Sabbath day holy and coming to church?.....she just glares at me and yells YOU'RE KILLING ME HERE CASE. Do I love her or do I love that gem?! We talked about how God needs her on His team and that if she's going to fix the people in the church (long story) then she needs to be leading by example. Well ladies and gentlemen, I am here to say that GOD PROVIDES MIRACLES EVERY DAY. B/c on Saturday--Kayla who every time we texted or saw her she would start swearing and yelling that we were wasting our time b/c she would never step foot in the church ever again--texted us asking to literally come to her house and drag her out of bed so she would be up in time for church. I THINK I STARTED CRYING. So yesterday morning, we sang songs and woke up my best friend and she came for all 3 hours of church. Heavenly Father answers prayers. The Book of Mormon works on people. Even if they only read a tiny bit...the spirit will slowly and continually testify. She keeps commitments when we give her reading assignments. She has a big fat drama attitude about it...but she does it. And the spirit is softening her heart. Kayla is one of the most beautiful miracles on my mission. She said she might come to the Christmas party this weekend. KEY WORD MIGHT. where before it was more screaming and swearing and anger. She still has a long way to go--but she has come so far and I love her to death. My greatest desire is to see her in the Celestial Kingdom with Heavenly Father Jesus Christ some day. I will forever work hard so that I can live with them and I will continue to do help Kayla strengthen her testimony FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE if needed.

 

I'll try to catch you up on everything else next week. I love y'all!!!

 

xoxo

 

Sister Case

 

Fluffy Ball

December 1, 2014

Howdy fambam!

So I'm extra fluffy. I love being a missionary--especially around holidays. We had 3 huge thanksgiving dinners....and I think I prayed like over 100 times during the day that I could finish my food and not throw up....it was ooohhh so good. so good. Our district made the Weston's some turkey gratitude notes and Sister Lelle and I said we would sneakily go deliver them...and we got caught! Next thing I know President is telling me to get a chair from his office and Sister Weston being the gem that she is had us eat some with them. So 1st meal of the day was with President Weston and his family. The man still terrifies me slightly hahaha but I love him so much! He is hilarious when you get to know him and are working with him. Then we had another meal with one of the members of the Cold Springs bishopric and it was so great! I love that family and I learned sooo much from them in that short time together. I just love family. At one point Brother Jeppson said, "I wish I had another son. You would fit in great." Hashtag swoon. But alas, they do not have another son....so ummm I'll find a boy that has a family like theirs to marry into. Love, love, love. And then the traillll cennnttterrrr. And we put on a cute show for the senior couples! Are you allowed to have this much fun as a missionary?

Before Thanksgiving Dinner

 

Fluffy Balls after Thanksgiving Dinner(s)

Thanksgiving at the Trail Center

*side note. I love how I received 3 thanksgiving cat cards from family members....y'all love me so much. Thank you for supporting me in the cat lady dream haahahaha*

 So I don't know if I told you--but Angelica got wayyyyy deep into anti stuff and basically doesn't want to meet anymore. UGH. But we sneak attacked and set up a time to talk on Sunday so please pray for us!

HAVE Y'ALL SEEN THE #HEISTHEGIFT VIDEO? If not--enjoy :) http://www.mormon.org/christmas

Oh and mormon.org is the coolest thing of my life. If anyone has any questions on anything--they've totally gone all out and there's little video clips and pictures and I could play on that thing for hours. My favorite part is the "how does the Book of Mormon and the Bible compare?" and then it lists scriptures from both and lots are not ones in Preach My Gospel so my book is now all colorful and written up everywhere. I'm i love. And it talks about 12 beliefs that we have. Seriously--go check it out. And then ask questions on chat.  http://beta.mormon.org/mormon101/overview.php
 

So 2 people that we've been working with got the Melchizedek priesthood! And then one of them named Alex went to the temple to take out his endowments! and now he's off in china spreading the good news of the gospel because his work visa is up for a year and then he'll be back!

But he had a tender blessing and the Lord is going to use him to help spread and share the gospel in some way! He wanted us to take him on tour right before. I just love him!!! (speaking of tours THE RASMUSSENS SURPRISED ME. I loved seeing them!)

Oh and miracles. Bishop told us to go try a do not contact--just to see if she still lives there and she does not. BUT BRYAN DOES. He is so great and this hipster guy who has all these questions and wants to learn and understand more. Quite a few times during our lesson last night he was trying to say he wasn't interested in learning more--and then the spirit got him! And he committed to reading the Book of Mormon every day this week for 30 minutes. (actually we just said 5 minutes...and he said he wanted to dig deeper into the book so like umm OKAY.) BUT HE IS SO GREAT. Keep him in your prayers.

Kayla is just as sassy as ever but she's a lot  happier. Boy do I love that gem.

*s/o out Hermana Wheat. I love that gem and she comes home aka like now*

So I'm a happy camper. I love Sister Lelle and I love the power that she has and all that she's teaching me as she's ending her mission. She is just what I needed and such an incredible example to me. I love this gospel. I feel like I'm shedding all these layers and finally becoming what God wants of me. It's incredible and I am so grateful for the atonement. I love each of y'all so much. And I love Nebraska and all of the gems here. It has 100% stolen my heart.

 

Love always,

Sister Case

Zone Activities

My cute family I came out with

Nasty Green Papers for my travel plans HOME!

 

Legal

November 24, 2014

Howdy!!! Weird. I'm 21. Mother dearest--you realize you were married at my age? Sick. Yeeehawww for the mission life haha! So my birthday was the most magical thing of my entire life. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT MADE IT SO SPECIAL. I felt like there were surprises all day long--aka my favorite. Sister Lelle--side note: did I ever tell you how much of a gem she is?

She's from Connecticut and her name is Kortney Anne Lelle. What a tender soul. I love her to pieces and I'm constantly learning so much from her. She is teaching me all about charity and loving unconditionally.  I am so grateful for her and her incredible example to me!-- So Sister Lelle was so sneaky! Pretty sure I'm a fluffy marshmallow from all the treats she snagged for us haahaha. And randomly at one point in the day she goes, "Sister Case, what is something that you've always wanted to do on your birthday?" So I pondered this for about 5 seconds before answering FINGER PAINTING. (yes, I am a child. It's fine.) Well of course we used the ol' It's Sister Case's birthday! And she would love to have a lesson with you today! trick and we had a lesson with Kayla and for my birthday present she got me a huge finger painting kit. I LOVE KAYLA. And a brownie...that Sister Lelle smelt before hand for me hahahaahahaha. I am too loved. and s/o to Sister Woodfield for the incredible cake toppers! Everyone was obsessed and wants to display them at the gingerbread festival

. Would that be okay? I could go on and on and on about how wonderful of a day it was. I am too loved. So thank you so much.

This is the most incredible woman in the world.  Sister Christine Bates is like the Nebraska Omaha Mission's own personal angel.  She made a special trip to the Trail Center with some of her friends and put the cake together, sang Happy Birthday and just made the day Perfect. 

 

 

The funnies of my life: This less active that we just met and he's a gem--ya well I found out that he went to school with Calvin Rock. ha. ha. ha. This world is just too small at times. And we accidentally showed a little 5 yr old and his son the wrong Mormon message that they wanted...the dad wanted a video on truth and so from the ones in the box that we have, we clicked on one thinking it was about truth...nope. it was about this women that couldn't have any more kids and she just kept repeating over and over (it seemed like) that they kept trying for 7 years to have more children...but she learned to trust in the Lord. I'm sure the father was just so happy with us....these are struggles that I deal with at the Trail Center. Oh and ysa lessons in Sunday school lately are all about family and preparing and ladeedaaa...constantly this month. It's a crack up but I love it.

 

OKAY CHRISTMAS. The church is incredible and has been planning this "He is the Gift" event so get ready! It will be in the December ensign and each one will have 9 pass along cards for you to give to help others draw closer to the Savior this Christmas season. And there will be billboards with it and the church is buying the advertisement for YouTube. It's great! and the videos and messages are so tender. Everyone needs the Savior in their life and Christmas is a great time to help people feel loved and included and remind people what this life is all about. So everyone get your missionary game face on!

 

 

Elder Martino came and gave the leaders of the mission a training and it was soooo good. He wanted me to tell President Blake that he says Howdy! He talked about how member present lessons in members homes is so important. So it's a smidge of a struggle for us in YSA but hey, it can and will happen! So please be offering up your home for missionaries to teach in so that the lessons can go better because the spirit is already there! He talked lots on how it isn't the missionaries that help people, it's the members. He related it to Alma and Amulek. Alma was the missionary, but Amulek was the member present who "astonished" those they were teaching b/c Amulek knew the people and already had this great relationship and they trusted Amulek and he was able to testify b/c he had been in their shoes and he could now testify of how the gospel had blessed his life! (Alma 8-10)

 

Sister Dumont and I sang at the training that Elder Martino was at--on Nov 22nd. aka our BFF day to one of bff songs. Heavenly Father is so mindful of us and I love him. We promise to perform it live for you one day :)

 

 

I've been trying to know my Savior more and more throughout my mission. I will always be working on it, but this week I was able to see the progression that I've made and how I love Jesus Christ more than ever before. I am so grateful for the atonement and his perfect example. I love thanksgiving and the reminder it brings of all the little things that I am grateful for as well. And can I just say how much I love the scriptures? The peace the Book of Mormon and the Bible bring me every single time I read them, just constantly reaffirm to me that they are true. And I will continue to do all I can to help others know of this gospel and the peace and joy it can bring them as well. I love being a missionary! And I love Nebraska and all the love and miracles in my life.

 

have such a great thanksgiving! have an attitude of gratitude.

 

love you!

 

Sister Case