Marriage is Like a Three Ring Circus...

Dear Family, The Lord is so kind. I received dad's letter today about Gabe and just couldn't believe it. I just sat there and didn't know what to do. I then read it again and just sat there feeling completely helpless. I was sitting at my desk at the office and must have not looked too goo because Elder Johnson looked over and said, "Hey will you come with me real quick?" He walked me to the bathroom and then said, I can wait here while you go and pray or think or something. It was really hard for me to read that and to think about it. I went and sat down and just cried as I was overcome with emotion. I then knelt down and told Heavenly Father how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I poured my soul out to Him and asked to be comforted and to feel peace and to be able to remember and feel all that I have learned about the Atonement. The answer to my prayer was immediate and the Holy Ghost comforted me. I imagine that angels came and ministered to me as well. I am so grateful for the love of the Savior and for His infinite love and eternal sacrifice. Please tell Gabe that I love him and need him to be at my homecoming. Please tell the Gomez family that I love them and will continue to pray for them, that they can have peace and feel of God's love for them. We aside from that, this week has been incredible. We have been so blessed. On Friday, the entire Ortega family went to the temple and did baptisms for the dead! They loved it. They were baptized on Saturday, confirmed on Sunday, and in the temple the following Friday. It really solidified their desire to be sealed in one year. On Sunday Hermano Ortega said the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting. It was a sweet experience. And not only that, the whole Del Castillo family (8 in total) came to church. They didn't all come at the same time though. I was sitting with Hermano Del Castillo and stood up and bore my testimony and told the ward that I loved and appreciated them and that I was seriously considering just moving my records there since I have been in the ward for 9 months. When I sat down there was an hermana sharing her testimony about how the missionaries came to there home 15 years ago and how ever since they were baptized it has been the best experience and the best decision. I leaned over to Hermano Del Castillo and told him that I was looking forward to the day when he stood up and bore a similar testimony. He asked me if anyone could go up and bear testimony and I said yes. With just a few minutes left in the meeting he leaned over and asked, "Is there enough time for me to go?" I said of course and he stood up and bore his testimony! The best part is that right when he stood up, the Bishop got my attention and notioned towards the back of the chapel I looked back and in walked Hermano Del Castillo's older two children and his daughter-in-law. I stood up and sat by them and they were shocked to see there dad standing up in front talking to the congregation of this church he just barely started going to. It was there first time coming and it was hilarious! In his testimony he asked the missionaries that were teaching him to stand up so that everyone would know who we were. He then testified of the change that has happened in his life since we met him and how he knows that God loves him because he sent his angles (the missionaries) to come and teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ended his testimony by saying he knew that this was the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. It was a pretty special experience and I know that his baptism next Sunday with his wife will be one of the most special experiences of my life. We taught them about apostles and prophets this week and explained that this next Sunday they were going to be able to listen to an apostle of the Lord. If I didn't already tell you all this, Elder Russel M. Nelson is coming to our stake conference this Sunday. Hermana Del Castillo nearly started crying as she related to us her gratitude and that she never even hoped that she would have such an opportunity. She said that she thought that only those who lived anciently had such an opportunity. How blessed we are to have prophets and apostles that live and that teach us. How blessed we are to know they are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. Elder Nelson will have a Priesthood Meeting on Saturday and then a general session Saturday night and the general session Sunday morning. It has been fun to testify to everyone that I meet that a special witness of Jesus Christ and one of the twelve apostles will be here and that they can listen to someone that is like Peter of old. They get pretty excited about that and lots of people are coming. So the Del Castillo's friend Mirna is probably the most prepared and faith filled investigator I have ever met. She fasted with us on Saturday night that here husband's heart would be soft and that they would both have the faith to get married on tomorrow! President Ashton joined us in the fast and we received and answer through him on Sunday morning. He suggested that they get married in the Honduranian Consulate here in Houston so that there is no legal problems. Mirna loved the idea and just wants to be baptized so badly. Her 10 year-old daughter is just so sweet. On Saturday after having the fasting/faith/miracles lesson we gave them a ring pop so that Mirna could propose to her husband Rodolfo. Sunday after church we taught them in Hermano Perez's home (our WML) and asked how the proposal went. Julie (the 10 year-old) pointed to her stomach and said that the ring had disappeared. We bought a really nice looking fake ring today and are going to bring it to our lesson tomorrow. Please pray really hard that Rodolfo will have a soft heart and that he will go with us to the Consulate tomorrow to get married. We will probably throw a party this weekend and Mirna will be baptized next Tuesday so that Rodolfo can be there as well. Every single day, we get home and cannot believe the miracles that have happened. The Spirit comes so strongly to every single lesson. We are finding new people to teach and they all want to be baptized and keep their commitments. We really don't do anything to deserve such grace and mercy but we sure are grateful for the chance we have each day to see the hand of the Lord in our lives. We don't spend any time in the office anymore and spend literally 100% of our time in our areas now. I have so many stories to share with you all but just don't have the time to do so. Just know that I know that God is a God of miracles. He lives. He loves us perfectly. He knows us and is so aware of us. He gives us commandments so that He can bless us. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He suffered for each of us individually that we can be healed. I know that He wants to heal us, physically, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually. I know that He has the power to heal us. Please pray for Mirna and Rodolfo, that they will be married tomorrow. Also, please pray for la familia Del Castillo that they will be baptized on Sunday and continue to feel the Spirit and learn what they need. I love you, Elder Case

The Enabling Power and Grace

Dear Family,

Thank you for your prayers. It was good to see and talk with you last week and seemed that you were all enjoying yourselves. Dad, I know that I always say this, but this really was the best week of my mission. It was just full of miracles, blessings, tender mercies and baptisms!

When I talked with you all on Christmas, I was not feeling well. I had a really bad sore throat, a cough, lots of congestion and felt like I was going to throw up the whole day. After we finished Skyping we went back to the apartment and I was going to take a nap because I felt horrible. As I thought about it being Christmas though and how many families would be home and together I couldn't stand the thought of being inside. I said a prayer and asked for health and strength and energy and told Heavenly Father that I wanted to do His will but I just needed to know what it was. We had five appointments after that, found a new family, and felt the Lord using us as instruments in His hands to bless His children. There is nothing I would rather have done on Christmas than represent the Savior and testify of His birth and His sacred mission here on earth. I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that it affords me the opportunity to not only repent and be made clean but to be strengthened and perfected. It was amazing to me that throughout the night on Christmas, I never really felt good, in fact I felt terrible the whole night, but the Lord strengthened me and allowed me accomplish His will and thus feel peace and joy. What a blessing.

When I say we are being blessed, I truly mean it. The Lord is so kind. This past week was Christmas Conference on Monday, P-Day on Tuesday, Christmas on Wednesday, and Weekly Planning on Thursday and yet we taught more investigator lessons than I have taught in my whole mission in a single week. We teach all the time from the time we leave the apartment from the time we return. It is wonderful.

La familia Ortega was baptized this Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! They were baptized exactly three weeks after the first day we knocked on their door. Their baptism was a fulfillment of a promise made through Priesthood Keys that there was one of our former investigators that would be baptized by the end of the year. We had a Family Home Evening with them last night with la familia Navarro (also from El Salvador) and Hermana Ortega told her whole conversion story and how she had tried to escape the missionaries the first night we stopped by and knocked and how since that day we have seen each other everyday except Christmas Eve. They are already planning on being sealed in one year from now and read the Book of Mormon every day. They had a very sweet experience during their confirmations and felt the Holy Ghost so strongly. Hermana Ortega said to tell you all hi and that she is my adopted mother. Mom, she told me to tell you that she will get me healthy and well in no time. She brought me lemon and honey tea to church on Sunday. All the Hispanic ladies in my area have been worried about my health and constantly make me lemon and honey tea and other sorts of concoctions. It is pretty funny.

So on Saturday, we had the baptismal service of the Ortegas and I baptized Natalia and Hermana Ortega (she asked me to because I weighed the most and she was worried about drowning) and then on Sunday, a member pulled me out of Priesthood and asked me to baptize her 8 year old son (named Ricardo) that night. That was a special privilege. The dad in that family is very inactive and he didn't even come to the baptism. So Saturday was four baptisms, then Sunday was four confirmations, then another baptism and then I also confirmed Ricardo. Right before Ricardo's baptism we had been with la familia Del Castillo giving them blessings because they were sick. It was all exhausting but amazing to be able to finally stop and think Sunday night about the miracle it is to have the Priesthood in our lives. To serve in the Priesthood in any capacity is the greatest thrill and most rewarding experience I have had in my life. I remember when President Lewis set me apart he said that if I would minister to the people I would have success. I have seen the fulfillment of that prophecy and promise in my life. I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to represent the Savior. I know that I do not even come close but I do try my best to do what He would do and as I do so I feel His love, I know He is pleased, and I am blessed with His enabling grace. In Moroni 10:32 it says:

 32 Yea, ^acome unto Christ, and be ^bperfected in him, and ^cdenyyourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and ^dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be^eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. 

I cannot deny the power of God. This is His very work. I am a witness of His power. He sends His angels to prepare the hearts of His children to receive this message. This week we taught la familia Del Castillo the Word of Wisdom and they thought it was the best thing in the whole world. I am fully convinced that angels (undoubtedly their ancestors that are waiting for their work to be done) first taught them all they needed to know because they were thrilled with the commandment and gave us all the coffee they had to throw away. They came to church again and every time we talk with them they say they are just so grateful that God sent us to them to teach them about His true church. They also keep telling us how grateful they are to be baptized on January 12th. They would be baptized on the 11th except that Elder Russel M. Nelson will be here at our Stake Conference that weekend so we moved their baptism to Sunday. They are a very special family. Please pray that they will continue to learn, understand, and progress to their baptism and their daughters will want to be baptized as well. We hope that Hermano Del Castillo will baptize them a week or two after his baptism.

Also, please pray for Mirna. She is doing really well. She is now living the Word of Wisdom and we also taught the Law of Chastity. She has been with her "husband" for 18 years and they have a daughter together but haven't ever been married. After we taught her she talked to her husband about getting married and he asked why she wanted to get married after so many years of just living together. She explained that she had to get married to be baptized and that she really wanted to be baptized. We are meeting with them both tonight to talk about it. Please pray that his (Rodolfo's) heart will be soft and open and that they will get married before January 12th. She and her daughter Julie are best friends with the Del Castillo's and they all want to be baptized the same day.

Anyways, I love this work! It is so fulfilling. It brings true peace and happiness. I love the Book of Mormon. Like mom has always said, it has the answers to all our questions. This whole week we have showed up to people's homes and opened the Book of Mormon and began to read and then the Spirit teaches what they need to know and all we do is extend a commitment of what they tell us they need to do or change in their life. It is incredible. I love you all and I love this Gospel!

Love,

Elder Case

Photos

Elder Dennis making pupusas at la casa de la famila Ortega



I have a blue comb!



Welcome to Houston sign at the airport

#1 Elder Johnson being cold since it has been freezing around here! (somewhere in the 50s sometimes!) #2 Elder Dennis making pupusas at la casa de la familia Ortega #3 "I have a blue comb!" #4 "Welcome to Houston" sign right next to the airport #5 The "old" companionship. AKA just two of Elder Ayala's trainers. He had four. We tell him it is because he is so rebellious. He just became a zone leader this transfer and is zone leader companions with Elder Leavitt, his trainer. I love Elder Ayala so much. He is an incredible missionary.

A God of Miracles

Dear Family, How blessed we have been this past week. It has been incredible. Elder Dennis and Elder Larson and I are just loving life. We have been working really hard and being blessed with incredible results. This past week was just so wonderful. On Sunday, la familia Ortega came to church. They showed up 30 minutes early again and brought the whole crew. They took up an entire bench at church. The Primary sang some Christmas songs and they felt the Spirit so strongly. Also, la familia Del Castillo came for the first time! Last week they tried to come but couldn't find the chapel even though they drove around looking for it for an hour. This time the whole family came. The parents came to Gospel Principles and felt the Holy Ghost so strongly as we learned about temple covenants and their three daughters just wanted to stay in Young Womens. It was such a good Sunday to see all of them at church. The best part is that Hermana Del Castillo is really good friends with one of our other investigators named Mirna. Hermana Del Castillo, without us knowing, told Mirna that she had come to church with us and that she loved it so much. She invited Mirna to come this following Sunday with their family. When we went to the lesson with Mirna today, she told us that she was coming to church. It was such a miracle because we hadn't even invited her to come yet! The Lord is so kind. La familia Ortega is doing so well. They are faithful English class students and are always the first there. They write up on the board "On Time-Familia Ortega" and "Late-Los Misioneros". Our English class is definitely a highlight each week. We have 3-5 investigators there every class in addition to the members that come and the friends they bring. It has been a huge success and it just a blast to teach. The Ortega Family is on schedule to be baptized next Sunday on the 28th. Please continue to pray for them. They are so excited. We teach them every day and they just love it. The change in their home and their lives is just so drastic. In the course of about three weeks, they have become new people. There is a special spirit about them always and they becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hna Ortega (the wife of the man that was less-active for many years) committed to be baptized along with her three granddaughters (Jennifer, Sandy, and Nathalia). They have all been practicing praying and have begun praying together as a family. They had a really special experience doing it for the first time and committed themselves to continue every day with family prayer. This Sunday, Sandy and Nathalia will participate in the Young Women in Excellence dinner/event and they are so excited. We are planning on sending the sister missionaries to represent us. I just don't understand how God does it all. Our investigators are just so prepared and keep all their commitments and want to come to church and want to be baptized and we don't even do anything. We just meet people that want to learn about the Gospel and the Holy Ghost touches them and they Heavenly Father just works everything out and softens their hearts. As we taught Hermana Martinez last week (the less-active that just came to church for the first time in years and years) we found out that she has been reading in the Book of Mormon every day for the past month and has made considerable progress in her reading. I still remember how hard we had to push them just to bring their scriptures to the first few lessons. As I think about la familia Martinez, I can't help but think of 3 Nephi 18:32 32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your asynagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall bheal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them. I know that the Savior heals. I feel that healing often. I am so grateful for the incredible opportunity that I have to be "the means of bringing salvation unto them". What a magnificent calling this is! I have begun to understand a little more fully what the joy of the Gospel feels like. Last night we ate at the Colons and they are doing so well. They are working towards being sealed as a family this coming May. I love them so much. I will always be grateful for the chance the Lord gave me to know them and participate in their conversion process. If I had labored with all my might for two years just to have helped them receive the covenants and ordinances of the Gospel, it would have been more than worth it. They are moving to Kentucky in June just have committed me to take them all to Havasupai at some point. We made it through another transfer. The transfer in six weeks will only be one new missionary coming in. It is crazy to think that we can go from a transfer of 43 new missionaries to a transfer of one new missionary. One scripture that has been on my mind all week long and that we shared with the Colons last night is probably my favorite story in the Book of Mormon. As I have studied it repeatedly this week, the Spirit has taught me much more than I previously understood. In Mosiah 24, we read about Alma and his people. They have been persecuted ever since Alma fled from wicked King Noah's court and have finally found a new land where they were free, only to once again be put into bondage. Amulon, the appointed Lamanite leader in that part of the land, made it so that the people of Alma couldn't pray out loud for fear of being put to death, nevertheless they cried to the Lord in their hearts. We then read the following: 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their ahearts to him; and he did know the bthoughts of their hearts. 13 And it acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand asbwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their cafflictions. 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord didastrengthen them that they could bear up their bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with cpatience to all the will of the Lord. What I have learned about this story and these words of the Lord has been so comforting to me this week. First, the Lord hears and answers our prayers and is ever aware of us even when we feel He is not. Second, He knows of and remembers the covenants (in this case baptismal covenant) His people have made with Him. What I love the most is that the Lord says he is aware of the covenant they have made. This covenant is found in Mosiah 18:8-9: 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye areadesirous to come into the bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; 9 Yea, and are awilling to mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand ascwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— So this people covenanted with the Lord to bear one another's burdens and the Lord says, "I remember the covenant you have made and so I will bear your burdens and make them light." And why does He do this? So that we may "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all thing, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death". Thus He shows us how to keep our covenants and helps us to keep them. And not only does He help us when we need it but He helps us more than we need. Just like the extra baskets full after feeding the multitude, His grace in this instance is more than enough. He doesn't only strengthen us to be able to bear the burden, rather He strengthens us to such an extent that we can perform the task with ease. What a comfort that is and what a blessing! And all He ask in return is that we be witnesses for Him hereafter. I feel the Lord helping me keep my covenants every single day. He lightens my burden and strengthens me and has asked that I do the same for the rest of His children. I have found that doing so brings true joy, lasting joy. I know that this is the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have had far too many witnesses to ever deny it and even more, I feel it burning within me. I love my Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son with all my heart. They live. I know it. This is Their church and They guide it through a living prophet. It is all true. I love you, Elder Case

More Pictures

This is Adolfo Vega. He is my favorite youth in the ward. I love his family. We got signed up to set up Christmas lights in one of the church buildings. They will be used for many different ward parties and our mission Christmas conference. I knew exactly how to do it because of all the wedding receptions I have helped out with. These elders are my

best friends.

The Will of the Father

Dear Family,

I hope you feel of my love and prayers and know that I feel of yours. This is the best experience that could ever be given to a young man. Each day is the best day even when some of them are days that, as Elder Golden would say, "are good for the soul". I love my mission. I love this Gospel and I know that it is true. The Spirit continues to confirm to me each day that Christ lives and that He guides this church. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What a marvelous blessing that is to know!

Yesterday a member was out with us and he kept on asking if we had another appointment for him to go to. We said we had our dinner appointment and he said he wanted to come. We were teaching an active member and so we shared the first vision and then talked with them about the blessings of the Restoration. We had each of them think about what blessings they have received because Joseph saw God. We then invited them to, every time they recognize one of those blessings, share with someone else the source of such blessings. It seems to me like it would be a very effective activity because you would be showing your gratitude to God through your actions and it would allow you to be a missionary too, which is just about the best thing that could happen to anyone.

The Padillas did not get baptized despite being so prepared. They still want to be baptized and they know that this church is true, they just want to feel more ready and know more. They came to watch the Christmas devotional last night with us at the Vega's home though and felt the Spirit really strongly. We are going to go teach them about covenants tonight with Hermano Perez so please pray that they understand and that the Spirit teaches them what they need to know.

The experience with the Padillas was really hard on me since it is very similar to what happened to Johnny a few months ago when he was completely ready to go, passed his interview, and then wasn't allowed to get baptized by his parents. As I reflected on these experiences and talked with Elder Johnson, I learned a little bit about the will of the Father. In my studies earlier this week I came across a really powerful thought that I remember dad teaching in one of his talks from his "You Can Quote Me on That" book. In Matthew 27:50 it says, "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."

The JST changes this to say, "a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done,yielded up the ghost."

So the very last words that the Savior uttered in mortality were, "Thy will is done". Not only did He spend His whole mortal existence doing the will of the Father, but we learn in Moses 4:2 that His whole desire even in the preexistence was to do the will of the Father:

Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

And so it is. The Savior's first words we have recorded in scripture are, "Father, thy will be done" and from His last mortal breath we hear the triumphant victory, "Father...thy will is done". This thought really helped me to understand the depth of Abinadi's words in Mosiah 15 when he said,

 7 Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

Even the Savior of the world had to submit. He had to forsake and abandon all that He desired in order to do the will of the Father. So we too have to submit, forsake and abandon. I have been trying to do that this week. It is not a fun process but it brings true joy and blessings. We have had to accept that the Lord has a plan that is often times different than our own but that His is always better.

I know that the Savior fulfilled the will of Father in all things. I am so grateful for that. I too want to fulfill the will of the Father and will strive and sacrifice for the rest of my life to do so, so that one day I too can say, along with my Savior, "I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning" (3 Nephi 11:11).

What a wonderful cause to be engaged in. Doing the will of the Father is the only thing that brings lasting joy and happiness because it involves helping Him to save His children. I felt of that joy as I sat with la familia Martinez in sacrament meeting on Sunday. They used to be extremely active (she has been a RS, Primary, and YW President and he has been an EQ, YM President and a stake missionary) but chose to be offended and haven't stepped foot in a church building for 20 years. We taught them about the Sacrament last Tuesday and it was wonderful. The lesson went really well and the Spirit was strong but they still wouldn't commit to come until at the very end we read two verses with them. As we studied for them and role played during the morning, these two verses just connected in a way they never have before. 

3 Nephi 18:10 (referring to the Sacrament)
 10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.

Moroni 8:25
 25 And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;

As we read those two verses with them, the Spirit taught them what they needed to do. They then understood that it wasn't just about going or not going to church because of the people there but rather we have to go in order to receive a remission of our sins. We had already discussed with them they were sinners and after reading the second verse they looked at us and asked what time church started. They were there 30 minutes early after pulling a prank on us. We called just to make sure they were still good to go and they told us that they had decided to stay at home because it was cold and there was a good show on TV. We were so sad and called them back to say we were coming over to bring them jackets. They then told us that they were already sitting int he chapel waiting for us. I nearly cried. I went and sat with them on the back row (as agreed) and just loved it. Even though they didn't partake of the Sacrament, my experience sitting there remembering the sacrifice of my Savior was a sacred one and one to be remembered.

Also, in Mission Leadership Council on Thursday, President told the group that each of us had someone in our list of former investigators that would get baptized this year. We have spent a lot of time contacting formers and on Saturday night had a great success! We talked to one man that we were teaching six months ago and set a return appointment and then he referred us to his neighbor. They were a referral from our former bishop but had never let us in to teach them. This time we knocked on the door and Rene Ortega answered and let us in! I have knocked on that door dozens of times and they would always say no. It was a miracle! We had a really powerful lesson and they all came to church on Sunday. They too were 30 minutes early. It was funny because for 30 minutes before Sacrament Meeting, it was these two families that haven't been to church in years and our companionship just hanging out in the chapel. In Priesthood, Rene stood up to introduce himself and he said he was baptized in the church 30 years ago but stopped going because he felt bad going without his wife but now that she had come with him he was going to be there every week! We were shocked because we were convinced that he wasn't a member. His two granddaughters that came live with him came too and they loved it. They both told us that Young Women's was their favorite and asked if they would be allowed to come back the next week. The mom, who used to open the door, point at the Virgin Mary on the door and say, "I'm Catholic", said she loved Relief Society and that she wanted to come back every week! It was a miracle! We have tried so hard to teach that family without success. But since President Ashton holds keys and we were acting according to the revelation he received through those keys, the Lord opened the way for us to have success. I love this Gospel!

It is all true. I love you all and am glad to hear you are doing well. Sorry to hear about Maddy.

Love,

Elder Case

Miracles of the Atonement

Dear Family, This week has been incredible. We saw so many miracles and felt the Spirit in a variety of ways. On Monday night we showed up to teach Omar (he is the roommate of Hermano Duran, a man that has recently come back to church and is now an active and fully participating and serving in the ward). We taught the Restoration and after we shared the first vision we were just silent for about 30 seconds feeling the Spirit. We then looked Omar in the eyes and asked him to describe how he felt. Before we asked the Spirit was strong but not extremely noticeable but as we trusted that the Holy Ghost would bear witness of our words, He came. Omar was really quiet then said, "I feel really peaceful. I feel good." We asked if he had ever felt that way in his whole life and he said that he hadn't. At this point his roommate walked in and we asked him to bear his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. It was so powerful. Omar said he would be baptized but didn't yet accept a baptismal date. After this lesson, we asked Hermano Duran if he could come with us to our next appointment with the Padillas (they live in the same complex) and he said no because he wanted to shower and get warm. We walked outside and were saying a prayer and then he called us and said that something kept on telling him that he needed to go to the lesson with us. He then bore a testimony of Christ and the Atonement that penetrated the heart of all who heard it. We were teaching about the Virgin Mary and why we worship Christ and not her. His testimony played a key part in their understanding of the Savior. I am so grateful that the Holy Ghost touched him and that he listened. The Lord truly is involved in this work and does work alongside us. Like it says in Jacob 5: 72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. Other fun happenings this week include exchanges with Elder Preece, Elder Gray, and Elder Williams. All are missionaries that I look up to and love. They are all good teachers and it was incredible. Especially my time with Elder Gray. That Elder is still his incredible self. I love spending time with him, studying with him, and remembering our sacred time together in the MTC. For Thanksgiving we went to the Martinez family. They are a family that has been inactive for 20 years and has no intentions of coming back any time soon. Nevertheless, we stop by and visit them about once a week and help them to feel the Spirit and remember the feelings they had as they were converted and joined the church. They have a special place in my heart and it was an honor to spend Thanksgiving with them and their family. After that we went to the Vega's home. They are some of my favorite people in the whole world and the Padilla family came over there too. It was a really good experience and everyone left feeling edified. Tonight at 8:00 PM, Elder Larson and I will be getting a third companion. His name is Elder Dennis. He has currently been serving in El Salvador but was reassigned to our mission. His parents are mission president and wife in Guatamela I think. We are pretty excited to have him join us! Another thing I think I forgot to mention is that two weeks ago I went on an exchange with Elder Quigley. He is one of the Chinese missionaries and we went to his area. I didn't understand anything the whole day but I did learn two words, taught an English class, and ate octopus. The octopus was cold and hard and I kept trying to swallow it whole but one of the legs (tentacles?) kept popping out of my mouth...fun times. On Friday with Elder Gray we stopped by and taught a former investigator named Arnold. He felt the Spirit but said that he wasn't ready to be baptized yet because he needed to repent first. The next day with Elder Williams we stopped by and taught about repentance. That was a powerful lesson. He understood how to repent, why we repent, and what we repent of. He committed to be baptized on January 18th and said he was going to read the Book of Mormon everyday so that he could feel the same way he felt when we stopped by to teach him. That is the common theme with all our investigators. We have been focusing on pointing out the Holy Ghost throughout the lesson and having them describe to us how they feel. This is really helpful as they then try and recognize their answers about the Book of Mormon, the truthfulness of the Gospel and Joseph Smith. On Saturday Elder Williams and I taught Saul and Sofia. Sofia came to our English class on Tuesday! It was her first time in the chapel. The last time we taught them in their home they both told us that they had either had never felt clean or that they no longer felt clean. So on Saturday, Elder Williams said, "the scriptures say that no unclean thing can dwell with God, do you believe that?" They said yes. It was silent for a minute and then the Spirit whispered to me the words. I looked them in the eyes and said, "Saul and Sofia, I am about to ask you a really hard question. You both just said that you believe that no unclean thing can dwell with God and last time we talked about how neither of you feel clean. If you were to die tomorrow what would happen to you?" They both sat there, looking at their hands, thinking and wondering and soul searching. Their response was, "We would be condemned, eternally punished, and forever sorry that we did not repent". We then invited them to repent and be baptized. Saul still struggled but Sofia finally got it. It was a very powerful lesson. We then testified of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what that can do in their lives if they will allow it to take effect. We have visited the Padillas every day this week. It is so fun to watch their progress and feel the Spirit in their home. They are all so happy and loving. We have been trying to help them be ready to be baptized on the 7th and Eva and Ramon feel that they are ready. Obispo Naranjo after interviewing them the other day suggested that we have them meet with President Ashton. Yesterday during church President interviewed Hermano Padilla for about an hour and a half and then walked out and told us that he was ready to be baptized and had passed his baptismal interview! Hermano Padilla promised to pray yesterday about being baptized this Saturday or this Sunday. When we stopped by last night he told us he would have his answer by Tuesday. Please pray that their financial situation will work out and that they will receive and recognize the answer and then follow the answer that they should be baptized this weekend. I love their family so much. We were at a baptismal service of an hermano in the ward on Saturday and afterwards were standing next to Ramon (the 11 year-old). There was some sister missionaries down the hallway and he looked at them and then looked at me with a funny expression. He asked, "Como se llaman las hermanas? Las Eldas? (What are the sisters called? The Eldas?)" It was so funny. They are ready to be baptized and it is such a miracle. The Atonement has wrought an incredible change in their lives and their faith is just so strong. As we were there last night, el Hermano had just finished explaining to us his financial situation and then Eva said, "Well, the elders taught us about tithing this week and told us a story about a widow giving all that she had. I think we need to pay our tithing even though it will be all that we have and then just trust God to bless us. He has to bless us if we obey." How special that was to hear. In my personal study this morning I was thinking about them as I read Alma 38:5 5 And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your atrust in God even so much ye shall be bdelivered out of your trials, and your ctroubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day. That is my testimony to each of you and to all that I meet. As we trust God and trust in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we will be made whole, we will be delivered, and we will be clean. I know that the Savior lives and loves us. He is so real and so close. As I partook of the Sacrament yesterday I thought of the words of "This is the Christ". 2. I read His words, the words He prayed While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane. I feel His love, the price He paid. How many drops of blood were spilled for me? With Saints of old in joyful cry I too can testify: This is the Christ. This is the Christ, the holy Son of God, Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind. This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls, Who ransomed us with love divine. As I thought of "how many drops of blood were spilled for me", I was overcome with gratitude for the Savior. I felt the Holy Ghost come and felt the renewing of my baptismal covenants. I felt clean. I just want others to feel that too. That is why we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you and am grateful for your prayers. Love, Elder Case