Marshall Islands Mission - Week One

Mauri, (Hello) dear family and friends,

I have arrived at my new transfer, here in the  

BEAUTIFUL 
       MARSHALL
              ISLANDS!!!

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I will be staying on the Atoll of Majuro until the 27th of February.

Then I will fly to Kiribati and will serve on the Atoll of Tarawa as the medical nurse specialist for the missionaries there. I will be learning the Kiribati language. I hope it's easier than Portuguese. I have eight days left here in Majuro to do a crash course; please pray for me. (There are only 13 letters in the Kiribati language, so I might have a chance…hard work... fasting... and prayer... I believe in miracles!)

Guess what? I love being a missionary even more! I can't get enough of this! 

It's so wonderful to be in the service of our Heavenly Father and to be one of Christ's disciples. What a privilege it is to be a servant of the Lord. He is definitely hastening His work here upon the earth in these the latter days.  

The people of the Marshall Islands are such a wonderful and humble people. Their spirits simply light this part of the Lord's vineyard. 

It was nice to get to stop in Salt Lake for a few weeks, (for more than one reason) but most importantly to see my father. I love you my dear father and I shall miss you greatly if you are called home - our Heavenly home - but Mom will be happy and so will you. 

We had zone conference                      
          this week. 

                                                 What a feast! 

I have the best mission president ever! President and Sister Shaw are so delightful; full of joy and love for every missionary.

I went visiting teaching to a sister’s home on Saturday with couple of sisters from here. The people don't have furniture in their homes, so we just sat on the floor. This sister had been struggling with complications from diabetes. She was blind and couldn't walk very well. As we each shared our testimonies the tears began to fall down her cheeks. I could tell that the spirit was present and she was feeling the love of our savior.

Just as our Savior asked Peter," Do You Love Me?” I want to be able to say to Him, " Yea Lord, Thou know-est that I love thee, and I will feed thy sheep all the remainder of my days here upon the earth. For I was lost and now I am found and because of the love and kindness of other’s my work and mission here have been made possible.” 

 Here's a link to a video of my humble efforts to feed one of his dear sheep in Cape Verde.

http://vimeo.com/60266456

Now I ask you, who are reading this, “Do you love Him?” He is hastening His work which means that the “bar has been raised” - for all of us. Today, we were taught by our dear mission president to increase our commitment to our Savior; to plan out our days and then to return and report, with an eye single to the Glory of God.

To my children, Zachary, Houston, Maddison and Taylor – I know you are making great sacrifices with me being gone. I want you each to know that your Heavenly Father will bless you for your willingness to love and help support me on this mission.

To everyone else who is extending such a generous hand in helping me to be on this mission – I am truly grateful and I love and miss you so very much.

I leave you with my prayer - that we may all increase our desire to develop the character and mind of Christ; to have our natures changed; to truly be converted unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

With all my love,
Sister Cassita

Week 11, 12, 13, 14 Where to Start?!!?!?!

My Dearest family and friends,
Oh how deeply I have come to love my Savior, Jesus Christ; and yes…” I need Him every hour.”
I pray, as I share my testimony, that your spirits will be inspired and uplifted.

   “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ”                      and 
“Lean not unto thine own understanding” 

“That they may see your good works and Glorify your 
Father which is in Heaven.” 

I am thrilled to have received another 
assignment!! I have been called to serve in 
another part of the Lord's vineyard. I will be 
serving in the Marshall Islands on the Atoll of 
Tarawa. 

If you are wondering what an Atoll is (like I did) it's smaller than an Island. When high tide comes in the Marshall Islands and Atolls are situated such that it creates a lagoon. The highest point of land on Tarawa is 10 feet. (I'm hoping that that measurement is at high tide!) I have always loved the Hymn "I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain or plain or sea". Every time I have sung it I longed for the time when I could go and Live It! And I am!
                     
                           I'm a Mormon

             


I know it!

 I live it!

                                             


I love it!

Sister Ann M. Dibbs shared this in her conference talk in October and I adopted it immediately and "lived it" in Cape Verde. When Sister McKnight and I would go out for our morning walk I always wore this t-shirt. (Thank you so much, Mansells) The greatest thing,was the stares that I would get from the Capevardians that can read English. They would read it out loud and then I would turn around and they'd read it out loud in Portuguese.

I want to send a huge THANK YOU! To all of you who helped out with the Starfish Project. With your generous donations Gracinda officially now owns her home free and clear and all of her past taxes were paid. So now that allows for any remodeling, repairs or work of any kind to be done. And as I will not be there to help facilitate this (getting a toilet put in her home), the Lord has opened another door for this to happen…which is perfect!

Gracinda not only has the safety of knowing that she owns her home free and clear, but she now has an even a greater gift…the home of her Heaven Father. Yes, Yes! Gracinda was baptized on January 26, 2013. So the other door God has opened, is her new ward family; her own people; and she will be the one (because of her humble heart in allowing others to serve her) to teach her people how to serve one another. I love you, my dearest Gracinda and oh how much I truly miss you and your children. I am so humbled to have been given the wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with you and so very happy for you. I know, if for no other reason than this one Starfish being saved, my mission here is complete.

I did not know until I received these pictures of her baptism, that 2 of her 3 older children, (Edu and Carla) were baptized with her! I feel confident that their mother's great example will have a profound influence on them and that Manuel (age 15) will soon follow them into the waters of baptism.


Oh, how I will miss the wonderful people here. Partings are so hard when they tug at my heart strings. I do, however, find comfort in knowing that I will see them again. I know that this church is true and by living its true teachings and keeping our sacred covenants we will all be together again someday. The missionaries in Cape Verde, Praia are great warriors in God's army. It made me feel special that I could help them with their illnesses, either through my skills, or that of the doctors there, or by Elder Swensen that served over me as the Area Medical Adviser  He was so wonderful to work with.

I know my Savior lives and that he loves each one of us. I know that there is no better work that I could be doing at this time right now than that of missionary work and saving souls. God wants all of His children back with him. I know that this church is true. I am so very grateful to have met and served my brothers and sisters in Cape Verde. God will be with you till we meet again. Oh how my heart longs to be with you again. This I know to be true. Stay close to Him, trust Him and He will feed you. I shall miss you all but our hearts are one.


I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Sister Cassita

P.S. I will be sharing some of my adventures in Cape
Verde during the next few weeks until I arrive in the Marshall Islands. 

 

Week 10 - It's A Girl!!!

 
And you're all probably saying, “What????”

Earlier in the week, my neighbor, Gracinda, had an ultra-sound done and found out she had lost her baby. I went with her to the women's center at the Hospital, to have a D & C done. I was talking on the phone with one of the Elder's, when all of a sudden Gracinda grabbed my leg and said, “Sister, Sister, ajudar! (help!).” There were people everywhere! I ran outside to see what was happening, and as the people parted to let me through, I saw a taxi with a woman in the back seat that was in the process of delivering her baby. I climbed in just as she took her last push, and out came this beautiful baby. I caught her in my shirt, (that wasn't white any more, but that didn't matter for a second.) A new spirit had just entered this world and I was blessed with the opportunity to assist in the delivery. What a wonderful experience!

 As I was holding the baby in my shirt, we lifted the woman into a wheelchair and took her into a room where she was cleaned up. A nurse came and took me behind a desk and let me sit down. I sent Gracinda to a store to buy me a new shirt. After I got cleaned up, it was time for my dear neighbor to have her dead fetus removed from her body. As the nurse came to take her, we looked deep into each others eyes. Tears filled my eyes as they took her into the procedure room. As I was waiting for her, my emotions were getting the best of me; I had a difficult time getting control because of the pain that my friend and sister was having to endure.

The social worker, Angela, took me back to meet the mother of the baby that I had delivered. Her name is Lu and she named the baby Lucy. She let me hold the darling baby. Lu, the mother kept thanking me for  helping her. I have worn many different hats on my mission but this one sits at the top. After I was done visiting with her, I was in the waiting area were three other mother's needed help with their babies, not delivering them, just holding them. I was grateful to be able to help them, (who doesn't want to hold a baby?)

While I was sitting there, I introduced myself to a woman sitting in front of me. I shared a little bit about the church and gave her a Book of Mormon. She was delighted for this information. Then she shared with me that her friend was having a procedure done because she didn't want her baby. My heart sank. I said, “Oh, no!” and then I realized that we all have our agency to choose. Oh, how our Heavenly Father must cry for His children. Talk about mixed emotions! Three mothers, three babies and three completely different outcomes.  My heart is filled with gratitude for a loving Savior who makes everything right, through his Atonement.

 I made arrangements to meet Lu in her town and brought a gift for her baby and a Book of Mormon  for her; the greatest gift of all! She held the Book if Mormon so tight. I told her that the missionaries would be contacting her. She was so grateful, sweet, and kind. I love these people and they love me; it's a wonderful thing!

On Sunday I got to take a gift to the nursery and primary. I met a member of our church on my plane ride to my mission, (Salt Lake to Boston). His name is James. We shared some conversation on the plane and when I got off he asked for my information and said that he wanted to help. I was touched; here was this man that I had just met and he was already reaching out to help with the work of the Lord. Well, James and Diane, may I say, “Thank you, thank you!” from me and also  from the children here in Cape Verde. I think that your own children shared some of their own toys! What a wonderful sacrifice- that of a child for another child- half way around the world. Thank you!

One day while Sister McKnight and I were walking, I stopped and poked my head into a fence to see what was happening. I could hear children-a lot of children- that were very happy! A sister from a catholic church came over and invited me to come in. She explained that the church was handing out gifts to poor children that would not otherwise get a present. The children were darling; so sweet, and it was a very humbling moment to see just how little these children have.Most of the children were without shoes, dirty and malnourished, but their spirits spoke loud to mine and I knew that I was among God's precious children. They love to be hugged, to be smiled at and they love to rub my skin and to play with my hair. Some of the children  that I held had wet pants, but it didn't matter. I am drawn to love them. “Oh, thank you, Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity to serve.”

I know that God lives. I know that He loves his children. I find strength, through our Savior's example, as I read in the New Testament. Becoming a true disciple of His is a wonderful blessing.

"Disciples, like diamonds, are developed in a process of time and heavy pressures, and both the disciple and the diamond reflect and magnify the light that comes through them."(Neal A. Maxwell)

 Love,
 Sister Cassita

Week 9 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry Christmas my dear family and friends. 

May the light of Christ be in you hearts this day as we celebrate His birth, 
                 The King of Kings, 
                                The Savior of the world. 
I look forward to His return. 

Love, 
Sister Cassita.

Week 7 & 8 - "Service" with a Capital "S"

The Lord is an amazing artist! As I have just listened to the spirit and acted, with direction from my priesthood leaders, a beautiful picture is being painted…or a wonderful story is unfolding. It feels strange to be writing this story, as I am one of God's children in this story. Oh well, here goes...

So a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday, after our weekly baptisms, (the missionaries rock here!) I was sharing with my Stake President about my “starfish”, Gracinda. I gave him a quick download of  "The Starfish Story" Then I shared with him, that she is not a member of the church but that "she is my neighbor; and in America, we take care of our neighbors." After I assessed the needs of my neighbor, (which are many,) I shared with him my vision of bringing relief to this sister and that of her family. He then said to me, “Sister Cassita, would you please teach my people how to serve one another?” I was truly humbled that he would ask me. Without hesitation, I of course said “yes”. When I got home that that evening my mind was spinning with all sorts of ways that I might accomplish this great task; first, came prayer. I have never felt like a natural “leader” and for sure, not one of this magnitude. How would I know what it would take to do this? The very next morning, everything just simply came to my mind! (At first it was too much, too quick.) So I ran some idea's past Sister McKnight and together we came up with a plan for the first phase.

 We had 14 sisters in our branch Relief Society sign up to come help. On Saturday, 8 came with their    
                                                                  "Helping Hands".

We met at the church; I thanked them for coming and for being willing to serve; then I offered a prayer and invited the spirit to be with us as we went into this sister's home. Next, we headed over to Gracinda's house. Sister McKnight had made brownies (you have to have treats, right?) and I made some punch, (real hard…just dump the packet mix in water and shake it…). Oh, we had a wonderful time - laughing and crying. I was surprised to see the shock on these sister's faces. Even though they live here on this humble island, even they were shocked to see the extremely poor conditions of this sister. It brought them to tears.

On this phase, we were just sorting through clothes. At the end of Gracinda's bed is a very large TV box that was full of clothes. Most of them were holey and stained, but we just started sorting. There was also a large bag full of clothes and when I lifted it up, cockroaches went squirming! It was awesome!!! Gracinda and I looked at each other and just started laughing; To see the sister’s faces and to watch them jump back. It didn't faze me at all.

I was doing some cleaning under the bed and came upon a machete. I pulled it out from under the bed and the sister just started to laugh
I found out that Gracinda uses it on a pig when they are out of meat. (No, there is no Wilber here from the movie " Charlotte’s Web".)


 Life is hard here, but I can see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is changing the lives of the people and how our loving Savior is blessing them and this Land with His Light. Oh, how I love being a missionary! My life is forever changed and God is teaching me how to be a leader.

I love Him and my Savoir with all of my heart.I know that God lives and that He loves each and every child on the face of His world… you and me. My prayer for all who will read this is that you will know that you are loved. If you don't know this, please pray to your Heavenly Father, in humble prayer and with fasting. I promise that He will answer your prayers. I don't know in what way, but He will. Then, when you know that you are loved, go and share that love with someone in need. He has asked us to “feed His sheep”, and to “consider the lilies of the field”. He will feed those who trust him. We are all God's children. My testimony is strengthened as I serve my brother's and sister's here in Cape Verde. I am grateful for my Savior and the love he offers me.

Sister Cassita

Week 5 & 6 - The Starfish Project

Dearest family and friends,

My eye's are filled with tears as I write to you this day. I am so very deeply humbled to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ; to be His servant. As I see the great needs of the people here in this part of the Lord's vineyard, I am filled with joy that even the smallest act of kindness or service makes such a huge difference in their lives. .They are such humble people; our brothers and sisters. I fall to my knee's each night in gratitude for this wonderful opportunity to be a missionary here.

I don't know if you have heard of the starfish story so I would like to invite you to listen to it. Then come back and enjoy my starfish story.

The Starfish Story

I found my starfish - Gracinda is her name. She is my neighbor. (I talked about her in an earlier post)

She has 5 children with another one on the way. Her first 3 children's father left for a better life in Portugal and the father of the younger 2 is George and he is Gracinda's current boyfriend and soon to be husband (if I can share with her and convert her to the importance of being married…) That seems to be a problem here. No one likes to get married. I'm not sure if it's because of the money or what.

Any way…I invited Gracinda to come to our stake conference my second week here and she came! The next week, both Gorge and Gracinda came. Then on Monday, the 19th, Sister McKnight, myself and the Elders had family home evening with her family. What a sweet tender spirit I felt as I watched the children sing with us. Then Elder Olsen asked Edu to offer the opening prayer. At first he was shy but then consented and did a great job. This sweet boy is very special to some of you who will read this, for he tells me all the time about his American friends: Brother and Sister Adams, Sister Palmer, Elder Palmer, Sister Cummings, President Holt - he loves all of you and when he talks of you his eyes light up and there is a spiritual connection for him. I am humbled to follow in your footsteps in making a difference in this boy’s life and that of his family. I love them so much.

 So I met this neighbor of mine about 4 or 5 days after I arrived and since that time until today, I have seen much of how this woman cares for her family. Her home needs some major work to make it a safe and habitable place to live. She has no running water, no toilet (yes…it is called a bucket for urine and a bag for the other which is then placed outside for the garbage truck to take away.)

They live with pigs -3 large,3 medium, 7 babies, 4 chickens, and1 rooster, along with a lizard that I saw while I was cleaning, cockroaches and other sorts of bugs. I spent 3 hours on Saturday with Gracinda and her children cleaning, washing clothes and laughing.

They probably think I'm crazy but I wanted to do what they do and learn how to use a wash board. It works!

Then we hung the clothes on the line which is across the street in an empty lot which 3 or 4 neighbors all use. It's great! Then I showed Gracinda how I clean with clorox and a-jax. She was smiling and at one point I was crying as I felt her burden being lifted and her bright smile would light up the room. She is so dear to me. It is true what people say, “I can't save or help everyone, but I can make a difference in one persons life” for I know this to be true as well… that if we just help one, each of us the world would be in a better place. I know…for I was a lost sheep and I was found..

I know that God lives and that he is a God of miracles. If you would like to participate in creating this “miracle”, my friend has organized a fundraising page at http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/Starfish-Project/36425

I love you all. I love my children. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the restored gospel and that families can be together forever. I know that the Book of Mormon has been restored for us and I love the peace that it brings as I read the words and am taught the mysteries of God through the gift of the Holy Ghost and prayer. What wonderful gifts! Oh, how I love my Savior, my Redeemer. May our Heavenly Father keep you safe and filled with peace as you put your trust in Him. I love being a missionary and I am grateful to serve my Savior.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love,
Sister Cassita

Week 4 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh my goodness, how time flies when you’re having fun!

I just love being a missionary! This is just amazing!

On Saturday, Sister McKnight and I went for a walk, out to see the

light house.

I said to her, “Are we on a mission or a vacation?” 

The ocean is so beautiful with every color of blue in it. Heavenly Father

has used every color to create this wonderful world that we live in.

His paint palette must be endless. The waves would break on the

volcanic rock causing the water to change from this beautiful blue to

the most exquisite white that I have ever seen. 

Water can be so pretty, either as a wave or with the glistening sun shinning on it. 

We enjoyed walking around the light house and watching life in Cape Verde.

I can't hold back from saying hi to everyone. They are so kind and

warm. I can hardly wait for my Portuguese to improve so that I can

communicate better with them. Oh how I love these people! Even on our

free time I share the gospel. There was a young boy that asked for

some money. I started asking him if he knew about the church. He said

no, but right at that time, another young man that is in my branch was

passing by and he spoke a little English. I invited him to be a

missionary and teach this young boy with the help of the missionaries.

He smiled so big with his pearly white teeth and beautiful smile. He

is 18 and could be leaving on a mission but I don't know because of

the little Portuguese I can speak.

Another day, I met this little girl in the clinic while waiting for

one of my missionaries. She came over and pushed me, so I pushed her

back. I think she was in shock. Then I tickled her and she had the

cutest giggle. Then she pointed at my lips and said "bonito"

(beautiful). I had lipstick on, so I took out my lipstick and put some

on her lips and showed her how to rub her lips together and then I

said "bonito". She grinned and turned around and showed her mom.

I think everyone in the clinic was in shock (safe place to be, right?)

but all were intrigued by this little girl that was so full of love

and spunk. I try to always carry candy in my purse and on this day it

was a good thing because there was a long wait at the clinic and the

candy kept the children happy. I might make a new name for myself…

“the white candy lady”… or something like that.

This is the place to come if you love fish; Fresh every day. But since

I got sick after eating some, at a place that was a little sketchy, I

won't be partaking of anymore fish for a while.

Oh, how I love my Heavenly Father, and my Savior for showing me the

way by His example in the scriptures of how to be a true disciple. I

know my Savior lives. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and his

enduring to the end so that we could have this great book, The Book of

Mormon. I want to say thank you to those of you who have helped me in

any way to be here on a mission. I know that I would not be here

without you and without my Savior. May God bless you all! There is

much work to be done here and I am so, so, humbled to serve my Savior

and these beautiful Cape Verdeans. They are my brothers and sisters,

as well as all of you, and I love all of you with all of my heart.

I found out today that my son Taylor, and Sophie are going to have a

BOY! It will be very hard to not be there but one thing I know for

sure; God blesses us when we make sacrifices.

Congratulations Tay Tay.

I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!