Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The End from the Beginning





Dear Family,

It was wonderful to talk with you last night and see all the new grandkids for the first time! I cannot believe how big they are. I was so confused when Emma was talking to me because I was so convinced that it was Allison. Time passes very quickly. Great news, Elder Ballard is coming in two weeks! I am super excited. It is so amazing that as a missionary I just receive these emails saying that an apostle will be here to speak to us. What a blessing.

Thank you all for your presents and letters. I loved hearing from you all and catching a quick insight into your lives. It always inspires me to do better when I remember or am reminded just how many people are praying for me. Especially all of the grandkids. With their faith and prayers great blessing have and will continue to be brought about. As I finished writing my email last week I felt like I had just finished writing a talk. I apologize if I get preachy sometimes, I will try not too. I just can't help it.

On Christmas Eve, after President Ashton told us that the Lord expects us to more than double the number of baptisms in 2013 and baptize 1,000 people, he gave a powerful talk on consecration. He said that the Lord could do this work if we only gave 95% effort, he said the Lord could do this work if we gave 50% effort, but he then went on to say that the Lord doesn't require 95% or 50%, He requires all. He requires our will. A broken heart and a contrite spirit. I have some repenting and consacrating to do. After his talk, he said we could watch one of two movies: It's a Wonderful Life or Saturday's Warrior. Naturally we chose Saturday's Warrior and now all Elder Evertsen and I do is walk around singing, "We are not the ordinary, fearlessly extraordinary, doing righteous hairy-cary, in our humble way!" That movie was hilarious. Brought back some fun memories too.

As this was my first Christmas away from home I didn't know what to expect. But I learned, yet again, that the Lord loves me and is aware of me. Or as President Monson says, "He is in the details of our lives." I say this because one of my favorite Christmas traditions is caroling as a family. Not because we sound good or I really love Christmas songs, but because we can see the smiles light up the faces of those to whom we bring glad tidings and great joy. I went caroling last week and as we sang with the senior couple in our ward (they are in the picture from the other email) and their daughter and son-in-law and visited those who are downtrodden, I felt the true joy of Christmas. The smiles and joy from unexpected visitors helped me to remember the Savior and the joy He brought into the world at His birth.

Another tradition is reading the Nephite Christmas story. Yesterday we had a district white elephant gift exchange and then read that story. The same feeling that I have always felt was present and all the missionaries just sat there after as the Holy Ghost filled our hearts with gratitude for the Babe born in Bethlehem.

I had the opportunity to go to the temple today for the first time since I got out here in the field. Our Bishop took us but we missed the session. We went and did sealings instead. I was grateful for that because it reminded me of doing sealing the weekend of my farewell when the whole family was in the temple at the same time. I remember the incredible peace I felt in that room as the assurance of a family family was instilled upon my heart. As I listened to the words today, the Spirit began to teach me. Some of what I learned is that today as I was in the temple I had the chance to participate in the same exact work I normally am doing, just for those on the other side of the veil. The next thought was that the sealing is the final saving ordinance required in this life. I then realized that that has to be my goal. I realized that it is not enough to baptize people, they have to make it to the temple to be sealed as a family. As I sat pondering on this I wished so badly that my investigators could just understand for one minute. If they could just see the end from the beginning and realize that no sacrifice is ever too great to receive all the the Father hath. I then wondered how often my Heavenly Father says that about me. I just wish Elder Case could see the end from the beginning. If he could just understand his divine potential and allow me to make into what I want him to be. I was humbled by this thought and gained an even deeper desire to allow the touch of the Master's hand shape and mold me into who He wants and needs me to be.

I love this work. I know it is true. The Spirit testifies of that each day. Thank you for your prayers. I love you all.

Elder Case

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My Peace I Give Unto You

Merry Christmas Family!

So we got news that we actually are allowed to Skype after all. So on Christmas, I will be at la familia Carrillo's house. We are getting there at 6:00. We are planning on beginning the call (or Skype) at 6:30. Hope that works for y'all. The Carrillo's don't have Skype set up but have the equipment and are willing to help us out. Stephen, if you could call Hermana Carrillo (281-313-3269) and try and figure that out with her, that would be great. If it seems like it will be too hard for them then don't worry about it. I don't want to be a burden for them since they are already taking care of us so well. So if Skype doesn't work, backup is the conference call. A phone call might be better than Skype because you all with make fun of my weight gain. After two transfers I had put on 20 pounds!

Anyways, I will be sending you all presents next P-Day most likely. So they will get there around New Years. I didn't know where everyone was going to be and I figured it would be better to just be able to send things to your own homes.

We have had a wonderful week. Many mighty miracles. We have been fasting and praying to find a family and now we are teaching four different families that are all wonderful. The family that is looking the best right now is la familia Robles. Wanda and Jesse are the parents and Ethel and Beneful are the daughters. They are incredible. We brought our bishop and his family to teach them the other night and it was great. They are definitely an answer to much prayer. Wanda is pregnant right now and so excited. They are both from Honduras and know a lot about the Church. Please pray that they will be able to come to church on Sunday.

We had a really neat experience last week that I forgot to write about in my email. We visited a man named John that we had taught a few weeks ago (he was the one that when we asked why he let us in he said he had a feeling that he needed to). He was busy and wasn't to keen about the idea of giving us some of his time. We talked with him and finally he agreed to let us in for 10 minutes. While we were in the lesson we learned that he works 14+ hours a day and is just exhausted all the time and that he doesn't have time to read the Book of Mormon or come to church. The Spirit came and reminded me of an experience I had. Senior year during first semester I was taking Lindmark's AP American Government class. I am sure that you all remember the joys of that class. It was getting close to finals and I was dying. I would stay up till 3 in the morning finishing outlines and then go to seminary. I was almost to the point of despair. Then we had tithing settlement with Bishop Smart. He said one of the prayers while we were there and in his prayer he prayed for each family member specifically. When he prayed for me he prayed that my time would be magnified. I had never thought of praying for something like that before, but I will always remember how I saw the hand of the Lord that week. I remember assignment deadlines being changed to allow us more time, I remember assignments being cancelled altogether, I remember being able to complete assignments more effeciently, and I remeber everything working out. I still never will know how it did, but I know that it did. As I told this story to John and bore my testimony that God wants him to have more time to develop the spiritual side of his life, the Spirit filled the room and bore witness of my words. The Holy Ghost also taught me in that moment that the truths taught in D&C 100 apply specifically to me:

Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.
 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the asalvation of souls.
I know that my mission call comes from a loving Father in Heaven through His chosen prophet upon the earth. I am so grateful for the chance to be here in Texas and to be surrounded by so many people that I love so dearly and that love me in return.
One of my favorite scriptures recently has been John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you, my bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ctroubled, neither let it be afraid.
It keeps coming up and each time I realize that if I am feeling peace it is the Holy Ghost. What an blessing to have the Comforter with us (verse 26).
President Ashton writes an article each month and it is published in our monthly news letter called "The Ebenezer". This month he made a very insightful comment coupled with a comment from Sister Ashton's article. Sister Ashton talked of how we often decide that when we don't understand how we are going to get through a specific situation we decide to put all of our trust in God. She commented that while this is good, we still go into it expecting a certain outcome. We essentially say, "Here God, this is in your hands. I trust that you can help me and that You will eventually bless me with such and such." She explained that we limit God because we do not allow Him to work in our lives according to the eternal perspective which He sees. President Ashton then in his article said that we limit God by desiring blessing that are far below the blessings God wants to give us. He said that it is like asking for a mole hill when He has a mountain waiting for us. It reminded me a lot of a talk by President Uchtdorf from a priesthood session in which he speaks of living far beneath our priesthood priviledges. My new focus is to receive the "mountain". I just need to continue to try and completely surrender my will to His and then "stand still with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
I love you all. I have loved this Christmas season because it turns my thoughts continually to the Savior and His life. I look forward to speaking with you.
Love,
Elder Case

Monday, December 10, 2012

Soldiers for Christ






Hey Family,

We are almost to Christmas. That is amazing how fast time passes. I just barely hit my six month mark on December 6th. I received a letter from my buddy serving in Carlsbad, CA that entered the MTC the same day as me and he said, we are almost 6 months old, can you believe it? It is not fair that time passes so quickly. Elder Barajas leaves tomorrow. I already said goodbye to him. I nearly cried. He is one of the greatest missionaries I know and I love him so much. He is one of those people that will have changed me for life.

I hope you are all well. I continue to pray for you. I found out that we don't get to Skype, but we can still call on Christmas. Thanks for being willing David. I will send out the information next week when I get it.

We took a lot of pictures this week. The sunset one is in honor of Stephen. I tried my best. I know there is no beach, but it is a jumping picture and the sunset. The car wash picture was just us showing our favorite part of P-Day. You know you are a missionary when the car wash becomes a weekly highlight. The other picture is the District. It will change a little bit because Elder Barajas is gone and our District Leader too. On the 6th, my 6 month mark, President Ashton called and asked me to be District Leader. I am excited. Dad, David, Craig, Mike, Phil, and Stephen and advice? Or good district meeting ideas?

We have been having a blast here. Last week we met a lady on the street from El Salvador and we started talking to her. The most common Salvorduraniean (spelling?) food out here is pupusas. They are so good and I have been trying my whole mission to set an appointment with someone of the street to make them. This lady is named Anabel. She accepted and we ate there on Thursday. We brought a member with us and had a wonderful experience. We taught her and she invited us back a second time. Found 6 new investigators this week that are so prepared. We are excited to help them in their journey to accept and embrace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have been getting fed like mad out here. Many times this week we had back to back meal appointments. It was wonderful but a little hard with the bike. Elder Evertsen nearly lost his stomach. We might have a car this next transfer. Still not too sure. But we bike about 25 miles on Saturday. Luckily the weather here is perfect. Never hot and never cold.

Saturday night on our bike ride home from the nether parts of our area, Obispo sent me a text and asked if I would speak in Sacrament Meeting the next day. My topic was "Are we and example to the outside world?" I had to fill 20 minutes because it was only me, a youth speaker, and Elder Barajas (who was super sick from overeating at three consecutive meal appointments the day prior). I spoke about Matthew 5:14-16 and then 1 Nephi 8:20-23

 20 And I also beheld a astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a bworld.
 21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were apressing forward, that they might obtain the bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.
 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
 23 And it came to pass that there arose a amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were blost.
I talked about the people in the darkness that want to find the path. They want the light of the Gospel in their lives but just don't know where to find it (see D&C 123:11-13). Elder Barajas gave a great talk and bore powerful testimony of this Gospel and the Book of Mormon. I add my testimony to his that this is all true. I continue to see miracles daily. Thank you for your prayers. I love you all.
Elder Case

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The End and the Beginning

Hi Family,

I hope that you all got home safe and settled down after Thanksgiving and are ready for the Christmas season. It has been fun to see people putting lights up on their trees and houses. What a wonderful time of the year to focus our thoughts on our Savior.

We have had a wonderful week. Crismon bore his testimony in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and it made me so happy! He will receive the Aaronic Priesthood next week. We have already began talking to him about missionary service. He is the best.

Yesterday was one of the most incredible days of my mission. After Zone Conference a week or so ago, I have been thinking a lot about bad days. President Ashton made a strong point that we need to be grateful for the hard days on our missions and throughout our lives because it makes the good days so much better and helps us to rely on and remember the Lord. We haven't really been having bad days recently but yesterday was amazing and it made me grateful for the hard days I have had. We had a regular Sunday with meetings and such, dinner with la familia Carrillo, and appointments falling through. We decided to stop by a man we met on the street and haven't been able to get in and teach yet. He was outside smoking and we asked how his day was. He then told us that yesterday morning he found his neighbor and best friend dead. He said that this man was 78, had 5 children, and that his wife had died a year ago. The man wasn't answering the phone so he went to check on him and looked under the partially opened garage and could tell he wasn't moving. He called the cops and they later told him that his neighbor had shot himself.

We were shocked by this. He spent the day with the cops and calling his neighbors family and such. He explained all this to us for about 20 minutes and then explained that he was busy but thanked us for stopping by. I was turning around when Elder Evertsen asked if the man would have a few minutes to learn about the purpose of this life. He readily agreed and we finally were able to teach him. We taught him the truths that his heart was aching to know. He readily accepted the Plan of Salvation and it was evident that his soul was calmed. It really made me ponder on how the Lord works. Because we were able to be there just at the right moment and Elder Evertsen followed a prompting, this man was able to begin his spiritual journey even though his dear friend had just ended his mortal life.

After that we had a miracle happen. We taught a lady that we have been trying to teach for a month. She is a golden investigator. She told us that she wants to get baptized and as she said the closing prayer, she began sobbing as she pleaded with God to help her change and to put her life in harmony with His will. It was incredible and by far the best lesson I have taught on my mission.

Another experience this week was we were visiting another golden investigator but she wasn't home yet. We saw her neighbor working on his car outside. We engaged him in a conversation and as it became evident that he was a busy man, I felt prompted to teach him right then. I asked if we could go inside and talk more. He agreed. After we explained who we are better and what we do, we asked why he let us in. He said, "I don't know. I never talk religion with anyone and I have never let anyone in my home to teach me about it. When you asked if you could come in, I felt something different. It was like I had to say yes. I have never felt that before."

I know that this work is true and just as Alma 13:24 says:
24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.
I love you! Please pray for Larue,Wilma and Denise.

Elder Case