Motha'sDay

So. Skyping. 

THAT WAS AWESOME.  It really was great to see all of you.

That's all Sister Jones and I have been talking about. 

We've been bragging about our families ever since. (:

Oh yeah, Transfers happened. My new companion. Sister Jones. 

Mm. She is awesome. We have way too much fun! Last night, we 

laid in bed singing girl's camp songs till we fell asleep. Sounds

 bout right, huh? hahaha.

Okay. So. Mom. This is all on you. You wanted to know my story 

that I shouldn't be telling you till I get home! 

But here it goes...

So, it was the week that we didn't have a car, because it was in the 

shop.  We were on this street, at a member's home, unfortunately, 

she didn't answer. We had a half hour left before we could go home. 

So, we decided we would walk down to Tara and Katies, which was 

at the end of the street, we later learned it was much further than we 

had anticipated. 

Anyway, we had maybe 2 more blocks to go, when we came to a 4 

way stop, and had to cross.  We both noticed this gangster lookin 

man on the corner, diagonally across from us. If that makes sense. 

So, we let him cross and acted like we were figuring out where to go, 

so it was awkward. He started heading North, while we continued on 

Westward.   About, maybe, 100 yards up the road, Sister Westbrook 

decided to look back, she saw him now following us. He had to TURN 

AROUND and follow us. So, we steadily start to walk faster. I then 

looked behind us, only to see him getting closer. I grabbed the GPS 

out of my pocket for a weapon, apparently I'm really logical when in 

stressed situations..haha NOT. 

We start walking even faster. We didn't want to start into a run, 

because that would just make it obvious. He started to get closer 

and closer.  Then, 2 little old  women, came shuffling out of their 

house, we made sure to say hi, so we would have witnesses. 

We got to the end of the street, looked back, and couldn't see him 

any longer. Amongst this madness, Sister Westbrook was on the 

phone finding us an emergency ride. Thanks to Sister S (a member

in the ward), all we had to do from there was stand under a street 

light and wait. She came and picked us up, we went back down the 

same street we had just walked up, only to see the gangster man, 

pacing in circles in front of the house we saw the old women. 

It was definitely a testimony builder of how Heavenly Father watches 

over His missionaries.  Who knows what could've happened. I'm so 

thankful for the love of our Father in Heaven. He knew we needed 

those 2 little old women to throw this guy off. 

We learned a few lessons that night. 

1. God protects us.

2. NEVER walk around Charles Town at night. NEVER. 

3. Missionaries should be allowed to carry pepper spray. (: 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom (:

You asked for it. hahaha. 

I love you family! 

<3/Your Favorite Missionary

SISTER BRINKERHOFF

P.S.  THIS IS FROM HER MOM:  I asked her what happened 

during the week as far as missionary work goes.  She said, 

basically nothing happened.  They only have one investigator 

right now and on her skype she said they were going to hit 

it hard this week to try and find someone to teach.  She said 

it gets hard and frustrating at times.  It was truly so great to 

skype her on Mother's day.  We learned a lot about her mission.  

They do not tract in her area and  when her Dad asked if she 

had ridden the nice, new, shiny bike yet, she said,"NOPE... 

Well I rode it around the family room."  She now likes hot dogs 

and has eaten several things she never would have eaten before. 

Nothing exotic, just normal stuff we eat all the time but she never 

would.  She said it was 90 degrees the other day and with the 

humidity it was "just gross".    They are having a special 

conference for missionaries only with Elder Ballard this month.  

She was super excited about that.  She was also excited to be 

taking 2 different trips to the DC temple visitor center in the 

next couple weeks.  

Baptism.Say.What

BAPTISM!! (said in a low gangster voice)

So. Saturday. BEST. BAPTISM. EVER.

Okay, every baptism is great, because it's another child 

being brought into our Father's kingdowm..but for reals. 

BEST. BAPTISM. EVER.

Emma was so excited! 

It was so cute, the night before, we took their jumpsuits 

over, so they could try them on.  Emma tried hers on, 

and stayed in it the whole lesson! It was so cute. 

On saturday, the big day was here! She came beep boppin 

into the church, smiling from ear to ear. We got her changed 

and ready. The whole service was amazing.  Emma had asked 

her mom, Leslie, to speak on Baptism. Leslie is a Former 

Investigator. When Emma asked her if she'd speak, 

she said "Well..that's ironic.." it was hilarious!

Leslie's talk was definitely one of the best talks I've ever heard 

at a baptism. Oh my goodness. People came up to us saying 

"So, uh..when is Leslie's baptism?" People even actually said 

that TO her! Good thing she's a super chill person who has a 

good sense of humor..ha (:

Ernie, her dad, did a musical number. He played his guitar,

and sang a song called 'Service', that he learned while he was 

Catholic way back in the day. 

Then Sister Westbrook spoke on the Holy Ghost. She did 

awesome! (:

The Bishop welcomed her to the ward. And Sister Brady, the 

Primary President welcomed her to Primary. Then, I said the 

closing prayer, and it was done. 

She was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting the next day. Ernie 

was able to confirm her! 

This family is a miracle. 

Ernie, who is a convert himself, and a returning Less Active. 

And Leslie, who is a Former Investigator. 

And then Emma, the newest member!!

They are amazing. 

Transferrs are this Wednesday!

And Sister Westbrook will be getting transferred to Shenandoah 

Valley, which is still in the Zone, so I'll be seeing her quite a bit. 

 I will be staying here in C-Town, serving with Sister Jones. No 

clue who she is..but I guess I'll find out ;)

This week has been amazing. Crazy. But good. (:

So, we actually ended up not going to Baltimore Aquarium today. 

Which is totally okay, we have too much to do! Instead we just 

played some dodgeball at the church, it was super fun!  Haven't 

played dodgeball since I was in High School. (:

THAT'S AWESOME THAT WY GOT A TRY in Rugby!! What a stud. 

I love you all, so much! 

<3/Sister Brinkerhoff

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

3 MONTHS already!!!

Uhmm..so I hit my 3 month mark tomorrow. That's weird. 

It really only feels like I've been out for not even a month..

but it's been 3?! Cray. Straight up cray. 

Transfers are coming this next week, on the 7th..we'll find 

out who is being transferred on Sunday. It'll most likely be 

Sister Westbrook, because ya know, she's only been here 

for 6 months. I guess we'll see!

This week. What the hey happened this week? I can never 

remember when I sit down to email y'all.  We've been 

working with Emma, the 10 year old girl who is getting 

baptized THIS SATURDAY!! She just had her Baptismal

Interview yesterday, and she passed with flying colors! 

We are so excited. Her mom, Leslie, is growing so much 

because of this! AH! We were just at their house for dinner 

on Saturday, and Leslie told us her "ah ha!" moment. She 

said "I don't know if it was something you 2 said, or what..

but it really hit me. Ya know, on the Anti-Mormon websites 

people are on there saying how Joseph Smith was a con-

man.  Well, how could a con-man die for what he believed 

in? He was willing to die, for this gospel." I was really excited, 

because it was something I had said a few weeks ago in 

one of Emma's lessons while bearing my testimony of Joseph 

Smith. 

So, Leslie's baptism is up next ;) haha. 

(THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO OUR INQUIRY ABOUT MONEY 

BEING SPENT THAT IS UNUSUAL)

And yes. I'm aware of the $300. That won't be happening 

again, at least for awhile! I just needed new clothes. This 

week we're not even going grocery shopping because 

we've gotten a lot of food from members this week..so 

no need (: I did spend $30 on a birthday cake for Elder

Reber and Sister Westbrook, though. Their birthdays are 

on the same day, AND they're both from AZ, and only 

live 10 minutes away. WEIRD. hahaha. Oh and next week, 

I will be spending a bit of money, because we're going to 

Baltimore!! To the Baltimore Aquarium!! We are so excited!! 

We're going to 'step inside' of Forever 21, and H&M. But,

I promise I won't spend too much.  I'm still going to have 

fun though. I've been counciled to be the missionary who 

has fun on Preparation days..but of course, I won't go hog 

wild (:  Oh, get this. A member gave us $40 to buy new dresses. 

We tried to give it back, but she literally grabbed her kids 

and ran away. So, we couldn't deny her those blessings! haha. 

OKAY! So, we're at the Library emailing today, and this man 

named Matthew just started talking to us asking what we're 

doing out here and stuff. Totally just had a teaching moment! 

So awesome. I love this work. haha. 

(ABOUT WRITING LETTERS)

I'm going to try super hard today. I'm also wanting to send 

a letter to Wy. I just miss him, a lot. And yes, I am exhausted 

all day long! haha. But, every minute is worth it. 

I'm so excited to go to the Aquarium next monday! It's just 

our District going, so it's going to be so much fun!! Which, 

Baltimore is like an hour away, and we'll be there probably for 

a good while, and then an hour back, so if I don't get a chance

to email, don't panic! But, we're going to bust our butts back 

to email, even if it's just enough time to send a one liner. 

(I SENT HER PICS OF PROM DRESSES OF LULLABY 

AND KAYLEE... THIS IS HER RESPONSE)

HOLY COW. Lala,  What a gorgeous girl (: I miss her and 

her family. Tell them "Hey girl heyyyy!" haha.

Ahh! Kaylee! She's not old enough to go to Prom! NO NO.

I feel old. So old. She's so beautiful (:

That's bout it, Fam.

I love and miss you tons.

Know that I pray for you every night!

<3/Your Missionary, Sister Casidee Brinkerhoff

Satan is a jerk and I like to enjoy Nature, not die in it.

Family!

Sounds like an amazing week! Wyatt kickin booty in rugby! 

THAT'S RIGHT.  For reals, sounds like an intense game.  I 

can't wait to watch Rugby again! Ohhh I miss it! I bet it's hot 

there, already huh? Not here. It's actually really nice. We're 

terrified of the humidity coming though...both Sister 

Westbrook and I live in dry heat. We don't know what to do 

with ourselves. haha.

WELL. This week has been pretty alright. It's had up and downs..

but, that's like any other usual week in missionary life (:

I can't even remember what happened this week.  I guess I'll 

just tell you the crazy parts! 

So, our District is playing this game to help us get more 

Contacts..to talk to everyone! So. We parked our car, and 

just walked up and down the main street in Down Town 

Charles Town. It was pretty great. This lady, Ginger, came 

up to US, looked at Sis. Westbrook's tag and said "Oh! Yep. 

You are. I came to a Mormon church when I was younger, and 

had a beautiful experience. Would it be alright if I could come 

this Sunday, or maybe the next?" We nearly passed out from 

shock.  We told her "YES! Definitely. Anyone is welcome!"

We asked for her number..her phone was stolen.  Then we 

asked if she had an address, she told us she lived on top of 

the Mediterranean Cafe down the road...but, we're pretty 

sure she's actually homeless. :/ 

But, then we asked if she had a ride, her brand new truck 

was stolen in Baltimore.  So, that was a problem. We would've 

given her a ride..but we're not allowed to give anyone rides, 

unless we're taking a member to a teaching appointment with 

us.  So, we had to find a member to give her a ride. Thankfully, 

we have really awesome members that think nothing of us 

asking them to give a ride to a complete stranger. haha. 

So she came, and she was so excited to be there! She loved 

Sacrament meeting. She loved that we sang in the Choir! 

(Oh yeah..I'm in the choir. And I should be singing Soprano,

but I'm singing Alto. So, my voice has switched. Awesome.)

But then, oh man...we went into Gospel Principles class. Which, 

just happened to be in the Baptismal Font room...and the lesson 

was on the Sacrament/renewing baptismal covenants. I kid you 

not, she literally thought we were going to baptize her right then 

and there! She started flippin out at the teacher! It was...interesting! 

Luckily, the Elders were in there as well, so our forces combined, 

we handled and diffused that bomb real fast. haha. It was seriously 

so weird!!

I'm glad you got your pocket knife! I thought it was pretty sweet, 

and I thought you would like it (: (TO HER DAD: She sent both Wyatt 

and him a pocket knife and sent me a cute little hurricane lamp)

And, Tina (the lady in Kearneysville) had us over last week. We 

taught her the Restoration. She believed that Joseph Smith saw 

Christ and Heavenly Father! She told us how everyone talks about 

Christ's gospel being revived in the last days, and that she thought 

we were in the last days! So we told her that this church IS the 

restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Her mind was blown! The spirit was 

so thick. She loves to pray with us. She has recognized the spirit. 

She believes in the after life. SHE IS SO READY TO HEAR THE 

FULLNESS OF THIS GOSPEL. But then, we went back the next time, 

and she wouldn't let us in..because she believes in the Trinity, not 

the God Head. So, we were really confused after that. But, we just 

came to the conclusion that Satan is a jerk, and that she'll be ready 

when the opportunity presents itself again (: God never loses His 

children..she will always have a connection to this gospel.

That's bout it.

Oh. Although, this morning, we went on a hike. I already didn't 

want to go, because I like to ENJOY nature.. not DIE in it. We all 

know my feelings about hiking. It was beautiful..really cool to see 

some historic stuff..but, that WILL be the only time I see it. Never 

again. I hate hiking. I know hate is a really strong word...but that's 

how strongly I feel about this subject.  It was in Harper's Ferry..

which is right next to C-Town. I'll be sending some pictures home 

of me looking miserable, soon. (: I'm sure you'll enjoy them. 

The blossoms have come! And they are gorgeous! I'll be sending

some photos home, soon (:  Oh my goodness! Those girls are so 

good to you! Tell them that I really appreciate that. Somebody has 

to take care of my crazy mom ;) haha. (In response to my email about 

my Beehives giving me BDAY presents) 

I love the pictures! Very nice eggs. Very nice. We didn't color eggs 

either..although Sis. Westbrook's mom sent her color kits..we just 

don't have eggs! Oh well. (:  Easter was great..we ate at the Espinosas..

which is great! Because they're one of our favorite families who LOVE 

the missionaries! The parents are both RM's. So they talk to us about 

mission stuff, give us advice and all that jazz(: It was AWESOME food.

Well folks. That's about it. 

Oh, another little happy moment of the week, Sister Westbrook told 

me I sing like Miranda Lambert. So, you can imagine how flattered I felt (: 

She's too nice to me..and she's obviously deaf. But I love her anyway (: haha. 

I love you Family!

Miss you tons!

<3/Your Missionary, Sister Cas Brinkerhoff

Easter? Say what? Already?

My family!

Oh man. This week. It's been weird. haha. 

So, on Thursday, President Richards and Sister Richards came to 

our District for a specialized training. They're doing this with all of 

the districts...I guess there's a lot of missionaries struggling with 

how to teach? I dunno. But, they came and taught us..they left 

saying they were so proud of us. And that all of us have done so 

great! And that for the first time since they started doing this a 

couple of weeks ago, we've done things right! So, you could say 

we have a pretty stacked district. We were stoked!  We had 

interviews with President that day, too. I love President! He just 

loves ya to death. He gave me a lot of pointers and tips. Loved it!

Then we stayed in for 2 days, because Sister Westbrook got sick 

with some virus going around. On the second day, she got up, 

showered, and tried to pretend she was doing good! She walked 

down stairs and the other 2 sisters we live with said "Are you going 

out today???" She said "yeahh?" They told her, "no. You look horrible. 

Go back to bed." she turned around and went back up the stairs, and 

into bed. It was hilarious! 

Our first day back out was on Saturday, which was a doozy. A family 

in our ward was moving to Florida that day. So, of course, us and 2 

other sets of missionaries showed up...we were there all day. We were 

so exhausted! This is why I'm sick. There was so much dust..so much 

dog hair. ahhh. haha. But it was awesome to be able to serve all day 

long!! 

Easter is next sunday, and we are stoked! We're hoping someone 

signed up for dinner for us..(: We'll have to see.  Mmm, nothing much 

happened this week. 

So, I'm out!

<3/Sister Cas Brinkerhoff