Service Unto the Lord

My Dear family and friends,

So much has happened!

I have found that when I am in the service of others I am in the service of my God.

I will let the pictures do the talking....

My eyes are filled with tears as I write; Tears of joy for the knowledge of how wonderful and loving our Heavenly Father is. He has blessed me and my children with miracles. 

For me - it is a new heart.

In my mission, they ask each Elder or Sister to share their conversion story. I would like to share with you the one I submitted…I know it will change with time, but this is where I have arrived; and the journey continues…

May God bless each one of you with His choicest blessings. I love you and miss you so much.

Thank you for your prayers, love and support. It is because of you that I am who I am today, Thank You!

Love,

Sister Cassita

                       My Conversion Story
                             April 29, 2013 

     I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am the youngest of 13 children. I figure by the time I came along my parents must have been very tired. But no worries; I had plenty of siblings who all helped take care of me. I had a wonderful grandpa who taught me many things; the most important was that he loved me.

     My mother and I didn't get along and my poor father was put in between the two of us, on many occasions, to try and keep the peace. We lived double standards, it seemed. We would go to church and learn how to be like Jesus, (loving, kind, gentle,) and yet, in my home there was much of the opposite. I don't share this at all to judge my parents, but it placed a lot of confusion in my mind through my growing up years.

     I have endured many kinds of abuses; some so severe, that where I find myself right now in my life, is truly a miracle. At 18 years of age, I left the church and was sure that I would never return. At 22 years of age, I became pregnant. After I gave birth to my first son, I was alone one day, while still in the hospital in Holland. While I was holding my child, feeling overwhelmed and fearful of what lay ahead, I asked God what I was supposed to do with this child. The answer came ever so quickly.  "Teach him what you know."  My mind immediately went back to my Primary days and I knew that this is what I must do for my child. I had been lost for 4 long years; completely let go of the iron rod. It was a long road back but worth every step.  It began first as a desire, and not so much for me as it was for my child, for I knew that he was my responsibility; then came repentance.

     I had 3 more children, to make a total of 4. I loved being a mother and we were eventually sealed as a family in the House of the Lord. I divorced after 10 years of marriage, went to nursing school, and did my best to raise my children in the Gospel, all the time feeling like I was just hanging on. Life was difficult and I had many struggles that challenged my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father. I felt lost and alone.

     The major event that would turn my face toward God and change my heart was the day I went to take my own life. My brother had taken his, (later, his son took his, as well) and it seemed like an easy way out.  But also, I wanted to try and get back at others for hurting me through their judgments. (I know... not Christ-like at all...)  In His mercy and compassion, God placed a little lost girl outside my door, which saved my life, as Satan’s grasp on me was interrupted through my service to help her. In that same hour, He brought me a new best friend who stayed with me and kept me safe. I was so blessed that day and I am still blessed to this day. Through many trials, which seemed to increase in their intensity, I have been given many answers to prayers, often through my best friend and her service to me.

     As I find myself now serving a mission and pondering how I got to this place, my eyes are filled with tears. Only through the Grace of God, am I here, and because of the many prayers offered on my behalf, by my family and friends.  I find that I am truly converted to Jesus Christ. I have learned to prioritize and order my life through being obedient to His will. I recognize that my every pursuit, passion, thought and behavior must always be in line with His will. I had to become susceptible to the Light; a complete turning around and trusting Him. This was huge for me - To face His light and truth and then know that I am capable of perceiving, and then following the will of God with complete trust; a trust that is spontaneous and innocent, like that of a child.  And now with that trust, I am an Ambassador for Christ.

    Through true conversion, my conversion is real. It has become all that matters to me. It is what helps me to endure and God has promised that if we endure to the end, we shall be saved. I have a new hope in my heart, knowing that I am imperfect but acceptable to God.  My heart has changed through the gift of the Atonement of my beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Oh, how I love Him with all my heart, might, mind and soul! Oh, how I love my children with all my heart; they are so dear to me. I love my extended family and all my friends; you are precious and wonderful.  Line upon line, precept upon precept, my conversion will continue to grow. My heart is and always will be - His. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. I love, love being a disciple of Christ. This is my testimony, in His holy name, even Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Oh What a P-day will bring....

Dear family and friends, 

My how time is passing so quickly!

Today all of us senior missionaries went to the East/North end of Tarawa as far as we could on dry ground.

 

   Then we took a canoe with an outrigger to the next island.

There are no cars on that island and it has a lot more vegetation and a very small population. I taught some children how to play "Ring-around-the-rosey". They loved it and laughed when we fell to the ground, I think they were surprised that I fell to the ground with them!

When walked to the other side of the island, I was at the back of the group and stopped to talk with a woman whose husband was in the top of a huge breadfruit tree cutting down some limbs, (or should I say he was pruning it.)

I took his picture and then I introduced myself and the church. Then the most amazing thing happened! I asked her if I could come back and give her a message and teach her a lesson about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. She responded with a “yes” and then she said, "and bring me the book". I hadn’t said anything to her about a book and didn’t think she’d even heard of the Mormons before! I look forward to sharing the Gospel with her and know of the joy that it will bring to her and her family.
   

Further down the road we saw a garden where a man was growing cabbage. They do some amazing things here with so little. (I think it's called being self- reliant.) They are way ahead of Americans when it comes to preparedness; perhaps because this is a way of life for them. They are so humble and sweet. I just love them!

There was a man across the way that needed some medical attention. He had fallen and bruised his upper arm. There was a very large hematoma/blood clot (about the size of a baseball). I told him that I would be returning next week and that I would check it out then and that I would bring supplies to drain it and give him an antibiotic. He was so grateful and I was reminded once again how much I love helping the people here. It's awesome!

     Then we saw some children building sand castles

     and using seashells for decor.(All children have wonderful minds... )

They had a single wheel; split a stem from a palm tree branch; put a smaller piece of wood through the center and made a toy out of it. They were pushing it and laughing; so simple and yet it made them so happy.

I also ran into a “medicine lady” that I look forward to visiting with on my return.

What an amazing experience in such a tiny place that is hardly even a dot on this great big planet!



We arrived at the other side to a place called "Broken Bridge".

What a famous name. I'm not sure who came up with it, but the bridge is broken…go figure… Anyway it connects to the next island, which is Tuabatuaa. The ocean is absolutely beautiful and those of you who love warm water would be in heaven.

It's so warm that I couldn't cool off. I guess I'm used to the cold water at Newport Beach, CA.

I feel very blessed to serve not only the missionaries but also the Kiribati people.

I know that God lives; He is my Rock and my Salvation. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that I am becoming one with my Savior through reading it, praying about it, and sharing it with others. It is the greatest healing book there is.

I love my children and family so very much and this truly has been a great challenge for me to put my trust in the Lord. I am stronger, yet I do “need Him every hour” and “I stand all amazed at the grace He offers me”. I love Him with my whole soul. He is my Savior, Redeemer and Best Friend.

Love,
Sister Cassita

Catching Up....

My Dear family and friends,

Oh how I miss you,  but oh how wonderful it is to be out here in the mission field.  As I drive down and back on our only road that we have here on our tiny Atoll (12x12 square miles) and look out over the beautiful ocean, palm trees, white sandy beaches and most importantly the wonderful  Kiribati people, I often say to myself, “I can't believe that I'm here.”

 The young missionaries are doing such an amazing work and are so devoted to saving souls.  I love serving with them and being there nurse, mother, and sister. 

I was driving down the road the other day and stopped to help two women that were standing on the side of the road waiting for a van (bus). It was just starting to rain and one had a new baby. I told them to hop in and that I would take them to Betio. That is the furthest town on the West end of the Atoll and where the Bloody war of Tarawa was in WWII.   

I let them out at one of the girls’ mother’s home where they were getting some Kias (sleeping mats) that her mother makes and then these ladies sell them. One of the ladies asked for my phone number and also if she and her friend could get a ride back to Eita with me. I told them yes, ( of course…)

After I took care of my errand and got back to her mother's home, and as we were trying to shove this very large roll of kias into the trunk, I could hear these two boys speaking in Kiribati. I heard the word “Hee-ma-tong” (not sure on the spelling but it means ghost. When the people here first saw a white person, they thought they were seeing a ghost. ) Anyway,  I said to the boys, "That's right, I'm a Hee-ma-tong!" They just started laughing and asked if I knew what it meant. I told them , “yes”.  We had a good chat and by the time we were saying goodbye there were a total of 6 boys gathered.  I asked them if I could come back and share a message about Jesus Christ with them from the Book of Mormon.  They all said, “yes”. Then I asked if they would like a Book  of Mormon,  and again they said, “yes”.   I offered to give them one in English or Kiribati. They were surprised when I told them that it is written in Kiribati.

Then,  when I dropped off the two ladies at their home not far from where I live, I offered the same and got the same response. So, this week should be wonderful;  filled with teaching the gospel and being with the young missionaries. I don't know how, but eight investigators in one day!!!

These people are so humble and ready to receive the gospel in their lives. I love being a missionary so much! (but I do miss my children and grandchildren) I am especially proud to announce the birth of baby Tristan, born April 21st to Taylor and Sophie. He was 8 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches..and he's adorable!!!

 I also had a fun P-day with all of the senior missionaries.  We went to the town of Buota and did some snorkeling and Elder Bush and I did some bridge jumping with allllll the little kids:) It was a blast!

I will leave you with this parting thought from Joseph Smith:

“The enemy will never get weary—I expect he will array everything against me—I expect tremendous warfare. He that will war the Christian warfare will have the angels of devils and all the infernal powers of darkness continually arrayed against him. When all speak evil of you, blessed are ye. Shall a man be considered bad, when men speak evil of him? No. If a man stands and opposes the world of sin, he may expect all things array’d against him.  But it will be a little season and all these afflictions will be turned away from us inasmuch as we are faithful and are not overcome by these evils.  By seeing the blessings of the endowment rolling on, and the kingdom increasing and spreading from sea to sea; we will rejoice that we were not overcome by these foolish things.”  

I will be glad when this battle is over for all of us and Satan is bound.  But more importantly I look forward to the day when our Savior will come. 

Love, Sister Cassita