Monday, August 27, 2012

The Power of Godliness is Manifest

Hi Family,

Hope you are all enjoying your time together for the baby blessings! Thank you all for your prayers and love. I was so happy to hear about the news from Mary and Craig. It will be fun to come home to yet another family member in a couple years.

We have had a wonderful week. We received two days of good rain which means puddle splashing on the bikes. When it rains here, we just plan for fun. After about two minutes, you are drenched from head to foot and can't get more wet, so then we look for puddles to ride through. It is a blast. Elder Barajas has been a good example of having fun in every situation.

Also, we had a baptism on Saturday! It was wonderful. Mary and Martha (names changed) were both baptized (mom and daughter). I baptized Mary (she is 8) and Elder Barajas baptized Martha. Many ward members were there to show their support, and the Spirit was present. They were both so happy. It was wonderful. The verse in D&C 84:20 has taken on new meaning for me. It is like dad also says, when there is a baptism, the Spirit is there because it is an ordinance and the Lord has promised that in the ordinances of the Gospel, the power of godliness is manifest. It was wonderful.




We had a number of investigators at church and it was perfect because Mary and Martha were confirmed! For some reason (probably because school started today so everyone is back) the ward was twice as big as I have seen it yet. It was packed. I was so happy as I watched the ward members come and introduce themselves and welcome each of our investigators. What a blessing we have to have our ward families and to be able to gether each week and learn and be edified together. What an even greater blessing to have our family and to have a home that can be similiar to the temple, to the house of the Lord, in its spirituality.

Elder Barajas and I taught Elders Quorum yesterday. We were asked to teach "The Laborers in the Vineyard", Elder Holland's most recent talk. It was fun to teach and to get to know the members better. I love that talk. My two favorite quotes from the last conference came from it. One is, "Why should you choose to be jealous when I choose to be kind?" That has taken on new meaning as a missionary. I now think of that as meaning I need to share the Gospel with everyone because if I don't, I am being jealous and selfish with the knowledge and blessings I receive from the Gospel. The other quote is something to the effect of, "It is not possible to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines." I love the Atonement of Jesus Christ because it is how I can feel of the love of Heavenly Father. I love teaching about the Atonement because people receive a new hope. They feel of the love of God. I am so grateful for the Atonement and the opportunity to overcome the natural man.

I know this work is true. The blessings are real. I have seen some incredible changes in many people in just a few short weeks. Thank you for your support and your love and your prayers. I continue to pray for you all. We have another baptism in two weeks of two teenage siblings. One is an 18 year old boy with down syndrome. What a tender mercy. He is just like Isaac. I will write about him next week.

I love you all.

Elder Case

Monday, August 20, 2012

Guided by the Holy Ghost

Hola Familia!

Hope all is well and that you are all ready for school to start. To explain the pictures:
The one at the map is with just some of my boys from Freshman year. There was 12 in the MTC but only those ones showed up for the picture.
The group outside was my MTC District with one of our teachers. He was the coolest guy.
The picture in a parking lot is my trainer and my mom (as they say in mission language). Elder Barajas, my trainer, is the Hispanic on the right.
The last photo is self explanitory. I quickly learned why they said to only wear dark pants. We call it sudo de pompis. Elder Barajas thought it was about the funniest thing ever that I sweat that much.





















Anyways, this week has been wonderful. Last Monday night, President Ashton called us and asked if he could attend our weekly planning session the next day. On Tuesday I had my first District Meeting in which I played the piano and spoke. Then we went back to our apartment and planned for four hours with President Ashton sitting in. The whole thing was in Spanish and the best thing that I learned was from President Ashton. We told him about to different women that we are teaching that have some hard situations that make it difficult for them to get baptized. He said that they would just need to exercise their faith to which we responded that it still might not be possible. He then looked at me and said, "Elder Case, usted nesecita ejercer su fe tambien." That was a humbling experience. But I took it to heart.
  
We went to a lesson with Maggie (name changed) on Thursday night. She is working four jobs and one of them is at IHOP where she starts at 10:00 Saturday night and works till 7:00 Sunday morning. We got there with a senior missionary couple in our ward and she just went off in Spanish that I didn't understand. After about 30 minutes of tears and such, I felt that I should share Matthew 11:28-30 and Alma 7:11-12 with her. I did and then bore my testimony that the Savior understands and knows how to succor her. It then continued for another 30 minutes of incoherent Spanish. I couldn't follow but I received the strongest prompting of my life to promise her something. The words were given to me. I didn't want to because I didn't think my Spanish was good enough, but I finally decided that I would obey. There was a break in the conversation and I look at her and said, "Maggie, I know my Spanish isn't that good. I am still learning the language. But I know the language of the Holy Ghost and He has told me that I need to make you a promise from your Heavenly Father. I promise you that if you will go to church this week and then get baptized the following Saturday like you committed, that you will find another job, that your depression will leave, that the Spirit will come into your life, and that everything will be ok." As I said these words, I understood what it means in the scriptures to teach with power and authority and that it will be given to you in the very moment what to say. The Spirit seemed to fill my whole soul and I know that it penetrated hers. She looked back at me and simply said, "I will". She came to church yesterday and she is getting baptized. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost, for the love of God, and for His mercy which enables us to be better than we really are. It was an incredible experience.

The next morning we were knocking doors, and not having any success, Elder Barajas and I went to a hidden place, and he offered a prayer that we would know what to do. We both felt that we needed to go early to an appointment. On our way there we ran into a 23 year old man on his way to work. He didn't know his address but described his house. We found his house with his wife outside. We talked with her and found out that they had just moved from Mexico two months ago and were looking for a church to go to. We set up an appointment for Saturday and then went and taught them and they committed to be baptized next month. There are so many other experiences just like this. It is incredible. So many times this week we have been guided to those that have been prepared by the Lord. The Spirit has softened hearts of those we teach and carried our message unto their hearts.

I know this work is true. I see miracles daily. What a wonderful work to be involved in. The Gospel is true and Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world.

I love you all and pray for you often. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Love,

Elder Case

Monday, August 13, 2012

Welcome to Texas!

How y'all doin?

As always, thank you for your prayers, love, and support. I loved talking to everyone and thought it was so neat that I got to talk to all of my family and feel of your love. Tuesday we woke up at 3:00 A.M. and traveled all day. I just studied and slept on the plane ride. The Ashton's were waiting for us at the airport. We then drove to a church building where some other missionaries were waiting, broke up into pairs, and went "running". This is just street contacting or "OYMing" (Open Your Mouth). The very first person that I saw was Hispanic and I looked I my temporary companion and he just smiled, so I started talking to him in Spanish. That was fun. We then went to the mission home, wrote letters to our parents to say we didn't die yet, received training on the mission rules from the Assistants, were interviewed by President Ashton, had a testimony meeting with all the new missionaries, ate dinner and then went to some random apartments in the area to sleep for the night.

In my interview with President Ashton, he said, "Well, I already know you so we are going to skip all that. The only thing I want you to do is learn Spanish." He said that my trainer is the only native speaker that he had training and that he needed me to learn Spanish so that I can reach my full potential. He said that the mission is focusing on charity and he said to get charity. That was it. Three or four minutes with him and he told me all he expected.

Wednesday we had breakfast at the mission office, received training on cars and cell phones (I know you think I am spoiled Stephen and David), then received training on Texas. Dad, I wish you could have been there. You would have loved it. They taught us how to properly use the word "y'all" and explained that it can never be said to one person. They also explained how to use the plural form of the word, "ally'all". The man that did this training was hilarious. He is an eight generation Texan and he said that when he got married, he was worried about the mixed marriage since his wife was only a seven generation Texan. They take their Texas pride very seriously here. In fact, I realized last night that I am already warped because we were at the dedication of our chapel, and the bishop was speaking in spanish about this great country we lived in and I couldn't figure out if he was referring to Texas or America.

After our trainings, we met our trainers. I am with Elder Barajas. He is from Oregon but both his parents are from Mexico. We are serving in Houston. He only has three transfers left including this one. Our area is Houston 8. Pretty close to Sugar Land. We serve in a Spanish ward.

On Wednesday, we had our first teaching appointment and Elder Barajas told me that it was my turn to extend the baptismal committment. I did and it was incredible to know how much the Lord trusts me. We have had a busy week teaching and knocking doors. About half the people we talk to on the street speak English, so I spend half the day talking English and the other half Spanish. My own speaking ability has improved a lot, but what has improved the most is the ability to understand. Some of our investigators speak so quickly, it is insane. We have four people with a baptism date right now and hopefully will have two more after tomorrow. I have already seen miracles happen.

We just ride our bikes around and I just pray my heart out to Heavenly Father and right then someone walks by that is interested. It has happened multiple times and it is incredible. I know that He is guiding this work. One really neat story was we knocked on the door of a less active family and they weren't home. As we left, Elder Barajas saw someone to talk to so we pulled our bikes up to the driveway and began talking to him. He didn't respond but kept motioning to us. We walked up to him and saw scars all over his throat and head. He motioned that he had been shot in the head and couldn't talk. We asked if we could share a message about Jesus Christ. He motioned that it was ok. We then taught him for half an hour about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We shared with him Alma 7:11-13 and bore testimony that He is not alone in his trials. We left him a Book of Mormon and set a date to return. I am amazed at how the Lord has prepared some people to listen. This man has hard trials in his life right now, but because of them he his humble.

I am happy and working hard. I see miracles each day. I just read the talk by Elder Callister today entitled "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary" (thanks Stevo) and felt inspired to do as he says and give my whole soul to this work. I know that it is true. The Spirit testifies of that constantly. Thank you all for your support and love.

I pray for you daily.

Love,

Elder Case

Friday, August 10, 2012

Houston at Last!

Dear Parents,
We are pleased to let you know that your missionary has arrived safely in the Texas Houston South Mission, the best mission in the world!!  They are happy and absolutely wonderful. President Ashton and I are thrilled to welcome them. We had a terrific afternoon and evening together. They received some training and talked with people on the streets of Houston.  We also had dinner together and then we enjoyed a beautiful testimony meeting. They come with such courage and strength. We were very impressed by their character and preparation.  You should be very proud of them.

I have attached a photo from our gathering tonight in the mission home. As you can see, there are many smiles.  We have seven children.  Our youngest is 1 month and our oldest is 13. They are so excited to be a part of your missionary's life!

Again, thank you for the opportunity you have given us to serve with these fine missionaries. We love them already and promise to take good care of them. May you find great joy and blessings as you continue to support them in bringing souls to Christ through His restored gospel. This is His work and these missionaries are on His errand. More joy awaits them than they have ever experienced!
With love,
President and Sister Ashton, Spencer, Braeden, Jacob, Elisabeth Kate, Ethan, Daniel, and Wesley

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Last one from the MTC

Family!
 
I can't believe that my MTC experience is already finished. I was just writing a lette to one of my leaders today and in it I said, "I don't think that anyone has ever enjoyed the MTC as much as I have." It has truly been an incredible experience here that I will never forget. And I guess next week you will get the email that says they taught me the wrong language here. I am excited to go out to the field and learn some more! Though I know the language will be extremely difficult, I have come to find that in lessons when I just forget everything and focus on the words of the investigators, I can understand. Sometimes I have no idea what the words are but the Holy Ghost tells me what they are saying. It has been incredible and I know that the same experiences will happen in Houston if I will continue to listen.
 
We had In-Field Orientation yesterday which is why P-Day is today. It was 12 or so hours about learning how to street contant, bus contact, airport contact, and so on. We learned about how to work with members and so much more. It was a long day but almost everything they taught me was completely new.
 
Elder Gray and I had a really neat opportunity this week to teach the new missionaries. We were selected with some others to teach the new missionaries how to begin teaching. On Monday nightwe received training and that hour and a half taught me more about following the Spirit and how to teach than anything else. We then went and did the demonstration on Wednesday night in front of two groups of new missionaries. All we did was begin to teach an investigator in front of them for about ten minutes and then they took the lesson over. It was fun. We have been reminiscing on our experience here and realized that we have had a blast. He had the best weekly service assignment which was in the kitchen and we got to explore the tunnels under the cafeteria. We have not had roommates for the past three weeks. We have loved our companionship, and we have had so many other unique experiences here.
 
Thank you all for your love and support and prayers. I can feel them and I am so grateful for them. I pray for you all daily. I have come to realize that miracles happen every day. One of the quotes from In-Field that I really liked was: "Miracles are the natural result of the application of true principles." I know that that is true. As I have done all I can here to be diligent, to be exactly obedient, and to serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, I have seen these miracles occur for me and others. This Gospel and work is true! I am so grateful to be a part of it and to be a full-time servant of the Lord.
 
Love,
 
Elder Case