January 13, 2014

Goooood Niggghhhhtt!! It has been a crazy one!! I literally feel like I fall asleep before I lay down most days. After we pray at night, we usually wait for each other and we talk about our day together and about all of our tender mercies and almost everyday this week one of us was asleep by the time the other was finished praying! haha  That just means that it is a great week! The more tired you are the better it is! We love being busy! As for Sister Cowley she is great I love her!! She is super funny and always makes me laugh!! Well Mom, Sister Angila’s ring is just the plain black CTR ring like the crest one and she is a size 6. She wears it on her pinkie.  Anyways, I hope the girls get to dance that would be so amazing and so fun!! Plus Tara is the best! Cami, Happy Birthday and know that I am thinking about you!! We have a deep clean day tomorrow so I will whistle while I work the Happy Birthday song!! haha Our whole mission is deep cleaning!! I hope Josh is ok and I can’t believe Clay is getting ready!!! yyyayyy!! He will be the best missionary out there... does that mean there will be a snip snip coming?! nooooooo! But it is for the best I guess!  I can’t believe Chantz is getting married I am pumped!  As for everything else I hope it goes well! Know that I am so jealous about the temple! You know how I love the temple!!  It will be amazing! I want to go the day after I get home! It will be great! Well as for this week’s weather... it’s been crazy! One day it was freezing and they canceled school and then the next it is raining so hard that no one goes on the roads and now we live in a swamp... no joke our yard type thing is flooded! But it has been super fun and Sister Cowley and I secretly pray for a tornado sometimes because we think it would be neat to see!!  Anyways this week we have good and bad news... good news we found a man named Clement and he never wears a shirt... he is this old man and he always smokes through our whole lesson and has his huge belly hanging out... but other than that he is amazing!! He is super interested in learning and he wants his whole family to know about the gospel! You kind of just fall in love with him when you meet him but he lives in this crummy single-wide and as soon as we left his cousin told us that he is a multi-millionaire!! hahah We died laughing but we were wondering why each of his grandkids came in asking for money or just took his cards haha he is great! Other good news we are working with Tanya Melton to commit her to stop smoking. She just got out of the hospital so when would be a better time! On Wednesday I took her cigarette case and taped a picture of Christ to it when she wasn’t looking she said it made her feel guilty when she went to smoke later that day! We are down to 2 cigarettes a day--but she will get there! The other good news is Brother Goodman brought a new investigator to church her name is Angelique we met with her last night and the bad news is that we found out that she is Stefanie’s daughter and now Stefanie thinks that we are crazy and she doesn’t want to meet with us. One thing I have learned out here is that we all have our free agency, we can’t force people to choose but when they know it is true and they choose not to act-- it breaks my heart to watch it happen, so we had to let her go.  Hopefully, Angelique will be an example to her!! hahah Other than that, we have had a pretty great week! We are still meeting with some of our other investigators and they are coming along! Our ward is doing a challenge of reading the whole standard works this year and so we are all kind of in the same general area. We read the Pearl of Great Price first and now we are in Genesis, I really love Abraham! He has such great faith and Sister Cowley and I talk all the time about how in Heaven we can’t wait to watch family movies with all these people and to ask them questions! I hope that one day I have faith like Abraham! I think that sometimes we feel lost and like our Heavenly Father leaves us.  Since I have been out, I have really been searching to find the way that the Lord speaks to me personally. When we find the way He speaks to us we are able to look for His promptings! Everyday I feel like I learn something new or I recognize the Spirit in my life a different way. Sometimes it is just the peace I get when I lay in bed and remember that everything that happened that day the Lord had already planned out. There is such a bigger picture to this life and I have noticed that when things cancel or don’t work out it is because the Lord has something else for us to do! It then is our job to figure out what that work is, and when we find out it is usually the most rewarding time. This week all our appointments cancelled on Friday night and we went to find some less actives that we have never met and we passed by one of the bishops houses from our ward. He is pretty much the founder of the Pembroke ward--a missionary hero!!  We passed his house and I asked if we could turn around and just stop for a second and have a lesson with him. He is old and lonely because his wife died about 10 years ago.  We had a lesson with him and the spirit was so strong in his house and I just started to cry. When we were leaving we said thank you to him and he said, “No sisters, I cant explain how much I needed that.” I love finding out what the Lord has planned for me each day and I am so grateful that He leads and guides me! I hope you all know how much I love you!! You are the greatest family!! You mean so much to me and I hope you know that!! Have the best week!!

Love always

Sister Oliver

January 6, 2013

Well this week-- wow I can’t believe it has only been a week.  Someday it feels like time flies but then looking back it seems so long ago! Probably just because so much happens in one day that I just can't even explain it!! Well so last Monday we locked ourselves out, so we walked to the church because our whole district was playing bball.  We took our last picture together and  then we went to Sister Teresa’s and saw her grandbaby.   Anyways, then we went to a couple appointments and afterwards, Yarnell called and told us to come back and have a bonfire with them so we did and it was so fun!! It was for all the leaving missionaries.  We all had s,mores and spent time with our favorite people. Oh ps yes his name is Yarnell (haha)  weirdest name-- Yarnell Hondo Locklear-- I think you met him when we were skyping.  Anyways, then we went to transfers and Sister Cowley is my new companion. She is great!!! She is a little "sister missionary" but that is great!! I couldn’t have asked for a better companion! She is super great at being obedient so obviously the Lord sent her to me to learn and that is exactly what I am doing!! It is great and she is super sweet!! She always boosts me up and loves to give hugs! She is a year out so she is almost done but she is from Utah and she is healthy!! It’s really nice!! We went to Sister Teresa’s family’s house on New Years and I think it was a bit of a culture shock for Sister Cowley but she is getting used to it! New Years out here is pretty funny because everyone eats black-eyed peas for luck, collards for wealth, and cornbread for good health! hahaha  Oh and NO one does there laundry on New Years Day because that means you are washing away the memories of your loved ones that have passed! haha They are nuts out here but I love it!! Then we had sparkling cider with Sister Angela at 10:30 sharp to bring in the New Year! So yes I kept the tradition as well mama! As for the rest of the week we didn’t get to meet with Stefanie because her father passed last week and so she was busy.  Summer is doing pretty great as well!  We had a lot of people cancel this week so it was a little slow but we are getting back into the swing and I just have a feeling things will pick up this week!!! Oh yeah it is freeeezzzziiing here!! Like below 20 tomorrow but it just freezes over and bites you! As people say its riiiiigght EErrish out der!! hahahaha  As for everything else, the dog that usually chases us and barks at us in the morning has been lazy lately probably because he is cold but we count it as a blessing to us!! This week I have been growing a lot!! I always think of that quote that says, “There is no room for growth without discomfort”, and that is so true!! Even though sometimes when we feel uncomfortable and worry and feel like we can't keep going that is when we learn and grow the most.  We have to then rely on the power of the Atonement to give us the capacity to endure our trials. I love growing because I feel myself become closer to my Savior but it also is hard for us sometimes to realize the blessings that come from our struggles. Being on a mission has really helped me to feel my Saviors love... I am so excited for you all to experience the happiness that comes from the Gospel! I know that as a new temple comes it will be a really great time to do missionary work! I promise you that if you pray for missionary opportunities that they will come!! I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us each day. When we tune into the Spirit and look for the promptings of the Spirit--  you will find them!  Yes,  I know that is when it becomes scary and you are probably thinking that I just won’t pray for any missionary opportunities so then I won’t have to open my mouth... well at least I know that is what I probably would have been thinking but I know that the Lord will bless each one of you when you do His work and serve Him!! I am so grateful to be a missionary, I love serving the Lord and reminding people of the happiness that comes from the Gospel! I love you all and hope you have the greatest week!!

Love always and forever 

cass

December 30, 2013

Okay we are back on and I read some of your letters!! It sounded like Christmas was great!! Cami,  I can’t believe you are a big kid now!!! woohooo! You all look so beautiful in those pictures Chelsey sent me!!! Thanks Chels for sending them!!! Oh okay-- so Sister Lewis is leaving me tomorrow... we have to go to Raleigh and get my new companion but I am sure whoever it is will be great!! As for the rest of the week here... it has been really slow but it has also been great! Our appointments fell through almost everyday but we did lots and lots of service!! I cut 8 heads of hair on Thursday!!!  Friday we went to see Stefani but it ended up she had a panic attack and went to the hospital!!  We talked to her and she is doing better so we went to Brother Goodman’s again last night to meet her and she didn’t show up but no worries Brother Lee and Sister Mary kept us company talking about how funny it was that the crazy man’s street name is Wimp but anyways we hope this week goes a lot better! I’m telling you the windows of Heaven are opened right above Pembroke, North Carolina! It is a great place to be!!  Anyways this week we don’t know for sure what the rules will be for New Years but usually we can’t visit on holidays unless we are asked to come over.  We usually have a bonfire of some sort and it always ends up being fun!! So hopefully that happens but mainly what I wanted to tell you all this week that I think I forgot to tell you on the phone is how much I love you! I really am so grateful that I am part of our family and that I have fun talking to you on the phone!! I love you all so much.  I really hope you all know that! 

Love forever and always Sister Oliver

ps tell Grammy and Grampy I was gonna write them all this week but we locked ourselves out of our house... well Sister Lewis locked the keys inside so we have been walking everywhere!! haha  Hopefully next week! We have to wait for mama Ang to get home

December 23, 2013

Hola familia,

I always feel like saying that because that is what Chantz would always write hahah but anyways, Christmas is on Wednesday!!! yippy skippy!! We are skyping at Ferris and Teresa’s and it will probably be 2-3-4ish our time so whatever time that is for you idk but hopefully sometime in the early afternoon! We don’t know for sure because our phone is tore up and we can only really talk to people in person so we talked to Teresa yesterday and she said we can anytime.  Then we found out some of the elders in our district don’t have anyone in their area that has offered to let them use their stuff or to feed them on Christmas so we are trying to work it out with two sets of elders so that we all have a great Christmas... pretty much we just felt really bad because they have a really rough area and the Pembroke ward is plentiful!!  I am so excited but anyways to answer some questions... Sister Angela works with handicap adults and she calls them her individuals... she doesn’t get paid that much but what she does she works miracles with! Out here she is known to have a GREAT job! It is kinda funny because one of the best jobs out here is working at the Campbell Chicken soup factory so that kinda gives you an idea of what it is like out here but as for Sister Lewis she is leaving on New Year's Eve... well we are pretty sure. She has been here over 7 months so one more transfer will be half her mission in one area so I am pretty sure she is leaving me. The weather out here is sooooo hot and muggy! Well this week has been-- but tonight it should get to the 20s but this week it was 80s with humidity! So you might want to know I cut my hair... off... ok well just like two inches! haha  I do cut a ton of hair all the time especially since no one can afford hair cuts right now so I cut almost everyday! It gives us a good time to teach our active members lessons.  So about  the black man brother Goodman... we found out so much about him this week... we are at his house almost every other day because he always has people for us to teach...he is not a bad man he just has made some mistakes... like he has 19 children all from different wives hahahah but he loves sharing the gospel with everyone he finds because he wants to bring them the same happiness that he has!  So we might spend some time tomorrow at his house we were there yesterday and we taught his friend Shante. He is this huge black man but it was one of the most amazing experiences! He committed to be baptized and he wants to change his life! At first it was a little intimidating when we started because he was huge but he turned out to be so soft and loving.  I love when I feel their hearts soften because they just start asking so many questions and they have a real desire to change!! This work is the greatest work!! Honestly Clay working at the warehouse makes this work even better!!!! As for Christmas Sunday it was an amazing day we had three missionaries return this week.  They are really sweet and it is really nice to have them back! As if the Pembroke ward wasn’t doing enough member missionary work, now there is even a bigger push and yes everyone invited us over for Christmas dinner!! We have already had I think 3 but whose counting!  We also had Christmas zone conference, which was really amazing! This Christmas I have just really been able to focus on Christ more than I ever did before and it has been such a blessing. Everyday I am reminded why I am on a mission and I am motivated to give back to my Father in Heaven by helping His children return home! I love the Spirit of Christmas it is my favorite time of year!! This week should be pretty crazy! As for missionary rules we can’t do much tomorrow night or on Christmas but the Ferris’s always do fireworks at their house on Christmas Eve so we are all going to that. Then Christmas day we will have breakfast from Sister Angela and open presents after she works in the morning and then we will go to Connie’s and Teresa’s later but hopefully you will get to meet Ferris and Teresa on Wednesday they are the best!! Well I hope you all have the greatest Christmas and know how much I love you!! You are the greatest family!!

Love forever 

Cassie

December 16, 2013

Feliz navidad my friends!!!

Well ho ho ho to you too! I just want to start out by saying how much I love all of you!! Thank you for writing me I love to hear from y’all and I am glad to hear that things are going well!!! I miss you too and trust me mom I have put up more Christmas decor than ever in my life! But it has been pretty fun and anytime the people out here will let us serve we do it!! 

Christmas will just be great to talk to y’all! As for skyping we will probably do it at Sister Teresa’s and Bishop Ferris’s house but we will hopefully have them call you the day before or something and have you add them so it takes less of our Christmas time. We are trying to figure it out so I will keep you posted! But anyways as for out here... I am having a bit of trouble speaking.  I swear my IQ goes down the longer I am out here because I start saying "its right der and things like I’m pitiful and ima tarred and dat der tree over yonder and your foolish... haha I’m just kidding but if you heard some things I say you-- would think I grew up in the woods or something!  As for dignified language, my Mission Pres is huge on not saying cool so I say neat and y’all and we can’t say awesome either or freakin’ or sucks so it takes time but I am getting there... haha  As for this week-- it has been another great one!!! We have spent most of it either doing service or at Brother Lee Goodman’s house... the black man of the ward... he is literally the most mysterious man I have ever met. He lives with Mary who lives in a separate part of the house and is half his age... but they have a daughter and the whole ward always talks about who the actual parents are because Brother Lee’s wife is in the military and they have another daughter.  Brother Lee has money coming from somewhere but no one knows because he doesn’t work and he always talks about this shop... oh and he just recently became active and he is the one who always has us teach random people at his house.  Since we have been spending so much time with their family we have been finding more and more out about them... it is like a puzzle.  For the first time we went to the shop this week... and the shop is a man cave of all man caves!! It has like 8 different old really expensive old cars inside, a ton of machinery to cut wood and make things-- it has a wall full of hammers and anything else you can think of that would make a lumberjack smile!! So we go to this shop and then afterwards, he is like, “Do you want to see my restaurant?”  So we go and it  literally looked like the world ended and there were people killed inside this place!! The lights were all dim and things were torn down from the walls. Then we look around and there is everything you could imagine inside-- picture all the ingredients in Sweet Tomatoes… all moldy and shut down and turned every which way. Then we walk into the freezer room and there was a light twitching, it was nuts!! Oh and as we walk through, there are just random rotting knives on the tables everywhere... I just looked at Sister Lewis and whispered, “I hope we don’t find a dead body somewhere.”  We were dying and he just acted like it was nothing... so we went there and and I guess that was good. We have been teaching Stefanie over there-- she is the one that asked the weird snake question the first night and she has the crazy husband but she is doing really well and we are so excited for her.  Then on Friday night we went to teach her again and Brother Lee brought a whole different  family over at the same time.  We found out that he wants us to teach as many  people as we can from Rowland because they think he is the devil and that he has many wives, he is the only member that lives in Rowland.  Rowland is like Globe but worse!!  We hear shooting all the time out there and we really aren’t allowed to go down there alone which we don’t most of the time but Brother Goodman is really great!   I love them and he is really a good man, he is just quiet so everyone makes up a lot of stuff about him.  Anyways Stefanie came to church!  She said that the Book of Mormon brings her peace so whenever she needs it, which is a lot, she just goes in her little world with her book! hahah it is great!! We love her!  As for Summer-- she didn’t get baptized and we are pushing it back for a while because they are having trouble coming to church... I will let you know more as it comes about,  but pretty much she just sings songs for us every time we go and I just have to smile and bob my head to keep from laughing!  So we were given those names that I told you about from the lost record that church headquarters sends us, and we have been trying to find them  Did I tell you one called us back and left a message and just said,  “This is Denise and Richards father... they got dead."  We tried hard not to laugh but that was all it said. Then we  tried to find another person  and used the GPS and it took us on this dirt road that literally was a roller coaster I swear!! It was sooo bumpy and I am pretty sure Sister Lewis was carsick afterwards--I took videos so you can see it. It is pitiful that now sometimes we will comment on how nice someone’s dirt road is!  Not very many people have driveways so sometimes we will catch ourselves saying wow this is a nice dirt road hahaha!  I guess that is what happens out in the country.  Anyways we had the most amazing Christmas program! They set it up like we were in Bethlehem and it was really a great experience! We really do a lot of missionary stuff out here and it really is great I just like to tell y’all the crazy experiences because they are funny but I want you all to know that I love being a missionary! This is the Lord’s work and I am so lucky to be able to teach from the Book of Mormon everyday. I know that Christmas is fun and all but I have really been so grateful for my Savior this season, without the Lord I could not be out here serving.  I have such a testimony of the enabling power of the Atonement and I hope that each of you know that you have a Father in Heaven that loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you.  I am so grateful to be a daughter of God and that we know we can one day return to live with Him again. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and I know that anyone who takes the time to do what Moroni challenges them to do, will find the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father and I will do everything I can to help His children one day return to live with Him again. That is what we are sent here to do and I hope that you all know how much I love you! You are my motivation to give others the opportunity that I have been given to be with my family for time and all eternity! I love you all and hope you have a great week!! Ten days and I will be seeing your faces!! yippy!

Love you always and forever! 

Cass