As long as you invite Him

AAAAH!! Navy got his call!! Watch out Colorado, an 

AWESOME missionary is headed your way! That's so 

exciting! Tell Navy, that all he needs to worry about, is 

reading the Book of Mormon and studying Chapter 3 

of Preach My Gospel. You don't even use any of the 

other books they tell you to read! Oh, and tell him, to 

buy fun ties, if he wants. You're not allowed to wear 

them in the MTC, but once you're in the field, it's okay. 

Same with colorful socks. (That's as crazy as the Elder's 

can really get...haha.) And tell him to not be nervous 

about anything. A mission is AMAZING. And this is 

coming from the girl that had a freak out break down

at least once or twice a week before I left. haha. 

And for Irelan's...I'm guessing....somewhere out of the 

country (: Definitely. 

Sounds like a crazy week in the Saint Geezy!  I'm so 

proud of our Rugby girls. There's no need to put up 

with stupid stuff like that! GO SC! 

I miss watching Rugby MEGA bad. It's okay. I'll have

all of Wy's Jr and Senior year to watch it (: 

Ummm..so I've been out for 2 months already. It feels 

like I got off the plane yesterday. Everyone says that the 

whole mission goes by so fast. Which is good. But then 

not. Because, you want to do everything the best that you 

can! We have this huge task. We have so many lives to 

change, and so little time. It's funny. All of the Elder's here 

are peeved that Sisters only get 18 months. They think we

get jipped. Whaters.

So, this week.  Where do I start? It's been amazing. 

We did a 'Finding day' on Wednesday, I think?  

Anyway, that just means we contact referrals, and 

potentials. Just FINDING people! I love finding days. 

You feel like you've done nothing..because the majority 

of people reject us. But, that only means they're not ready.

Okay, okay..I'm going to tell the story now.

So, we looked up a Potential the Elders found and gave 

to us, because it's a single lady.  So, we find the address.

We pull up, say a prayer, and go.  

The front door was wide open..so that wasn't awkward at 

all.  Sister W knocked on it, and a man stood up off the 

couch, and was so super friendly.  Then a woman came up

behind him and said "Come in come in!"  So we went in.

They shoved all of their stuff off the broken couch so we 

could sit down with them.  These people..wow. Let me 

continue. So, we started to talk about religion.  The man, J, 

is Baptist. And he made sure he told us, as he lit up his 

cigarette.   And then we asked the woman, T, what her 

religious background was.  She said she doesn't really 

believe in organized religion (which is really common out 

here), and that she has her own relationship with God. 

Which normally means that's their idea of God, and how 

to follow Him is super far fetched, at least that's how it is 

out here. West Virginians are my favorite. (: haha.

Anyway, we then asked what kind of relationship she has 

with God.  She told us that she believed that it's more of 

a feeling. She can't put into words how much He means to 

her. She loves God. She loves Christ. She even recognizes 

the Holy Ghost. We then asked how they knew each other. 

J, is her brother in law.  But, his Brother/T's husband, was 

murdered. And their still in court about it, so they can't talk 

about it. So we asked what it would mean to her, to know 

that she could be with him again.  She looked us both, straight 

in the eyes and said "I know I will see him again. I will see 

everyone I've lost. I know it." 

My jaw about dropped to the floor.  THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN!

She then asked, if we were known as 'The Mormons'.  

Obviously, yes. haha.

She then asked about a book we have that fills in the missing

places of the Bible. Well, I whipped out my Book of Mormon 

so fast!  I pointed to it, and said "This is it!"

She asked how much it was. We told her it was free.

She then asked if we took donations. We said of course not.

As we talked about a few things Christ's gospel stands for, 

she asked,  "Okay. Now, if you find the book that talks about 

when Christ came back after he was crucified, and came to 

this side of the world...Let me know. Cause I want to see what 

that's all about."  At this point, she was holding the Book of 

Mormon. I pointed to it and said "You're holding it in your 

hands."  She looked down, and gave a little smirk, then said 

to us "So I have the right book?!"  We exclaimed "Yes! Yes!"

We had been there for about an hour, so our time was up.

So, we asked if we could say a prayer with them. She said she 

would really like that. We were about to bow our heads, when J 

held out his hand, to hold mine.  So, we KNELT down, in a circle, 

holding hands, and prayed.  Oh man. The spirit was so THICK. 

When the prayer ended, I was straight across from T, and she 

was so happy. Her eyes were misty, and she was smiling this 

smile that testified of her gratefulness.  THIS DOES'T HAPPEN. 

J, then went from "I'm a baptist." to Wanting a Book of Mormon 

for himself! WHAT?!  THESE THINGS DON'T ACTUALLY HAPPEN 

IN REAL LIFE.  But, I guess they DO.

It is a huge testament to me, that the Spirit can dwell in all places, 

as long as you invite Him. And, there are people every where..Waiting.

I'm so thankful for this gospel. 

There aren't enough words and enough emotions to express how

thankful I am, and how much I love it.  Because of this gospel, I've

been able to come out here and to change lives. Not only others, 

but my own. I've learned so much. I'm a completely different person, 

but the same. I can't describe it.  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!

Well, I'm kind of tired of typing, and my brain will only let me think 

about T and J. So I got nothin else to say. Oh, except that I'm seriously 

starting to sound like a West Virginian. It's not pretty. Oh well. Sacrifices. 

Oh! And transfers. I stayed here in C-Town, and Sister W has, too (: We 

figured it'd be that way..cause I still have 6 weeks of training left. 

Alright,

I love you all! SO MUCH!

Keep hastening the work, and being obedient!

Oh, and when the Missionary's ask if there's anyone you 

have in mind that could use the gospel, be sure to have 

someone in mind. The best and most effective missionary 

work is through the MEMBERS! Our mission has started

"Finding with Members"! It's gonna spread like wild fire. (:

I LOVE YOU!

Be safe. Don't do dumb things. 

Sister Casidee Brinkerhoff