.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
HEY YOU GUYS!
HOW THE HECK ARE YA THIS WEEK? TODO TRANQI HERE I PARAGUAY! (THAT MEANS, IT´S ALL GOOD HERE IN PARAGUAY!) FIRST OFF…I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE TIME THAT I HAD TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ON CHRISTMAS DAY…IT TRULY WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED! I CAN´T THANK EACH OF YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THE LOVE, SUPPORT AND PRICELESS ADVICE THAT I ALWAYS TRY TO PUT INTO PRACTICE.
Daddy…thank you so much for your very much needed advice. It was truly just what I needed! I love the mission, and this has been the most incredible experience of my life…but it´s not over yet! IT´S ALL UP TO ME! I know that the Lord has entrusted me to do my part, until the very last minute. Until I am released! AND THAT´S WHAT I´LL DO! But thank you so much for bringing that back into perspective for me…and giving me excitement to get out and work even harder! HOLLA! I LOVE THIS WORK! IT´S SO TRUE! AND I PROMISE YOU THAT I WILL SWEAT, BE SORE, TIRED AND DEAD EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT I HAVE LEFT! IT´S A GREAT FEELING!
But really…you all sound so great. Thank you for taking care of yourselves and doing what you can to serve the Lord. I KNOW that you´re serving Him how you should be…even though I know that we can always give more! And i´m for sure included in that! MORE, MORE, MORE!
So…this week was a great one! My comp and I, we are really doing all that we can to serve the Lord how we can be most useful and effective in His hands. It´s a continual process, but it molds us and we learn life lessons that are such great blessings. Right now, I finished the Book of Mormon on Christmas day, and now, i´m starting Doctrine and Covenants. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Daddy…I want to thank you for always giving me D and C 9 to read when I was having problems with Joey and I didn´t know what to do. I USE IT ALL THE TIME NOW! IT´S ONE OF MY FAVES! I am so very converted to the scriptures. I´m not quite sure how I lived without them for so long, or I didn´t use them as well as I could have. Now, going a day without reading affects me, and there is a visible lack of strength. WE MUST ALWAYS READ THEM!
Well, please know that I love you guys so stinking much. MAKE GREAT, USEFUL GOALS FOR THIS YEAR AND DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO COMPLETE THEM! THE LORD WILL HELP YOU AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO DO SO.
Please send prayers our way and especially for those that we are teaching. WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS, THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Keep in touch and continue to let me know what´s up and how everything is. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES! PLEASE! AND STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY!
1434 AND MORE THAN THE FIREWORKS I´LL BE SEEING TONIGHT! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Lars.
Mission Letters & Experiences
This blog was created to share letters from Elder Mason & Hermana Lauren Casper as they serve their missions for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Casper is currently serving in the Chile Rancagua Mission and Hermana Casper is serving in the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission. Enjoy!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Elder Casper 12/31/2007
Family-
Wow what an amazing week. First off talking with you all on Tuesday started it off and is alway a highlight for me, wow how truly blessed I am. I LOVE YOU ALL MORE THAT YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE.
Well on Thursday we had zone leader counsel and it was great. President let us have it and it was good for all of the leaders to see that the success in the mission depends on us, and that we are the ones that have to have a change in our hearts before the rest of the mission changes. On Saturday I had the experience of a life time. I was able to go to the temple to see a family sealed for time and all eternity. It wasn't one of my convert families but it was a family that Elder Hutchens and I knew very well and Elder Hutchens did their baptisamal interview. Their names are Cristian and Gladis. It was such a great experience to go to the temple and to not only be there in the temple but to see a family sealed; it was an unforgettable experience.
Elder Martinez and I were very blessed this week. It was the best week I have had in my mission and I was able to see the promised blessings of our Heavenly Father as we submit to his will and not ours. With all of the holiday activities in the mission and for the zone counsel and the temple we only worked three days out of the week. Well in three days we were able to find 16 new investigatores and we set a bautismal date with Andrea, the one that 2 weeks ago didn't believe in God. It was such a blessing and I felt the influence of the spirit so strong in my life this week. I love being guided by the spirit because as we are guided by the spirit our understanding is opened and we can do the will of our Heavenly Father.
I am so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesús Christ, and for the authority that has been given to us to be able to perform the Ordinances of Salvation. What blessings and promises we recieve as we commit ourselves and make covenants with God. He loves us and wants us to be happy, and that is why we have the gospel.
I heard a great quote from Richard G. Scott that really impressed me this week. He said "As we look for the best in others, we will find the best in ourselves." We often think that doing this is such a difficult task, and to be honest it really is, but I know that its true. One of Gods commandments is to love one another...as christ said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." What a powerful statement, and the second greatest commandment is "Love thy neighbor as thy self". Thinking of this quote by elder scott gave me the determination to look for the best in others in this up coming year, and in so doing I will find the best in myself. Its a great opportunity that we have to look for the best in others, why don't we put it to the test in 2008. I know we can do it!
I love you with all of my Heart, you're in my every thought and prayer. Keep working hard, praying hard, studying hard and looking for the best in others and the our Father in Heaven will continue to bless you.
I love you more than words can ever explain.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
p.s. Thanks grams, nana and papa, benz, ash and lace for your emails and love. Ill be writing you soon.
Wow what an amazing week. First off talking with you all on Tuesday started it off and is alway a highlight for me, wow how truly blessed I am. I LOVE YOU ALL MORE THAT YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE.
Well on Thursday we had zone leader counsel and it was great. President let us have it and it was good for all of the leaders to see that the success in the mission depends on us, and that we are the ones that have to have a change in our hearts before the rest of the mission changes. On Saturday I had the experience of a life time. I was able to go to the temple to see a family sealed for time and all eternity. It wasn't one of my convert families but it was a family that Elder Hutchens and I knew very well and Elder Hutchens did their baptisamal interview. Their names are Cristian and Gladis. It was such a great experience to go to the temple and to not only be there in the temple but to see a family sealed; it was an unforgettable experience.
Elder Martinez and I were very blessed this week. It was the best week I have had in my mission and I was able to see the promised blessings of our Heavenly Father as we submit to his will and not ours. With all of the holiday activities in the mission and for the zone counsel and the temple we only worked three days out of the week. Well in three days we were able to find 16 new investigatores and we set a bautismal date with Andrea, the one that 2 weeks ago didn't believe in God. It was such a blessing and I felt the influence of the spirit so strong in my life this week. I love being guided by the spirit because as we are guided by the spirit our understanding is opened and we can do the will of our Heavenly Father.
I am so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesús Christ, and for the authority that has been given to us to be able to perform the Ordinances of Salvation. What blessings and promises we recieve as we commit ourselves and make covenants with God. He loves us and wants us to be happy, and that is why we have the gospel.
I heard a great quote from Richard G. Scott that really impressed me this week. He said "As we look for the best in others, we will find the best in ourselves." We often think that doing this is such a difficult task, and to be honest it really is, but I know that its true. One of Gods commandments is to love one another...as christ said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." What a powerful statement, and the second greatest commandment is "Love thy neighbor as thy self". Thinking of this quote by elder scott gave me the determination to look for the best in others in this up coming year, and in so doing I will find the best in myself. Its a great opportunity that we have to look for the best in others, why don't we put it to the test in 2008. I know we can do it!
I love you with all of my Heart, you're in my every thought and prayer. Keep working hard, praying hard, studying hard and looking for the best in others and the our Father in Heaven will continue to bless you.
I love you more than words can ever explain.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
p.s. Thanks grams, nana and papa, benz, ash and lace for your emails and love. Ill be writing you soon.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Elder Casper 12/24/2007
Hola Family-
Hey ya´ll whats going on? How has your week been? Is everyone doing alright and how is your health? Well fill me in tomorrow when we talk...
Well just so you all know, tomorrow at 4:30 is alright, its a little early but its all good, anything for Lauren because it is her last phone call home as a missionary. Also I am going to repeat the number that you can call tomorrow. (56072821520) if that one doesnt work you'll just have to call (5672821520) so yeah we will be talking tomorrow.
I didn't know Riggs got home, wow thats nuts that he is already home. If its possible it would be cool to talk to him also so tell Doug to bring him along. Oh and just so you know we can talk for an hour this year, president changed the rule and is going to let us talk for an hour.
Well its been a good week, we started it off with the mission activity and it was great to finish it with the confirmation of cesar and partaking of the sacrament. It was a great week, we found 4 new investigatores, not too many but the Lord is blessing us with people to teach and in a few of them we are seeing big changes and great progession. As we left a lesson the other night where we taught the family of Richard and Marcela, the spirit was strong and the lesson was great. We took Cesar with us to the lesson and he bore the most pure testimony I think I have ever heard. Every person in the house was touched by the spirit and the family of Richard and Marcela told us that they know this is true. They want to be baptised but she said that she doesn't want to be one of those people that gets baptised and 1 year later is inactive. She doesnt feel ready to do a covenant with God, but she told us on Saturday that she is going to fast next Saturday so she can have the faith to be baptised. It is truly a blessing seeing the family progress. Their daughter Barbara has gone to church the last 3 week alone and loves it. Marcela said that Barbara will be the one to help the family be baptised. It was a great lesson and seeing the change in peoples lives is the greatest blessing and CHRISTMAS GIFT ever. As we left the house Elder Martinez and I began to talk about the mission and we began to talk about the change in the family Fuenzalida. As a missionary life at times is hard, We have tough days that at times really kill ones desires to keep on keepin on. But when one sees that an investigator applies the atonement of Christ in their lives it makes all the tough times worth it. It is a great joy and I personally think that it is a small part of the eternal joy that our Father in Heaven has in store for us. It was a great week and the spirit of Christmas has touched my soul deeply.
Im grateful for the opportunity that I have to talk to you all tomorrow for an hour. I can't wait to hear your voices and feel of the spirit through the phone. The spirit is like the sun, it's in all parts and even though we will talk on the phone we will all be able to feel of the spirit of God.
Dad thanks so much for your letter, it touched me very deeply and it was the first time that I have cried reading one of my letters. How blessed we are to have eachother as a family, to have a little part of heaven in our home where we can enjoy a little part of the eternal happiness that is to come. I love this gospel, I love our Savior and I am so grateful for his birth and his atonement. May we all feel of his love and kindness as we celebrate y remember his birth. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, which allows us to have a hope and purpose here on earth. And the greatest of all which is the center of the great plan of God is our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ and I love him with all of my heart. Thanks for everyhting and I cannot wait for tomorrow when I will hear your voices and feel of your spirit.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason Casper
Hey ya´ll whats going on? How has your week been? Is everyone doing alright and how is your health? Well fill me in tomorrow when we talk...
Well just so you all know, tomorrow at 4:30 is alright, its a little early but its all good, anything for Lauren because it is her last phone call home as a missionary. Also I am going to repeat the number that you can call tomorrow. (56072821520) if that one doesnt work you'll just have to call (5672821520) so yeah we will be talking tomorrow.
I didn't know Riggs got home, wow thats nuts that he is already home. If its possible it would be cool to talk to him also so tell Doug to bring him along. Oh and just so you know we can talk for an hour this year, president changed the rule and is going to let us talk for an hour.
Well its been a good week, we started it off with the mission activity and it was great to finish it with the confirmation of cesar and partaking of the sacrament. It was a great week, we found 4 new investigatores, not too many but the Lord is blessing us with people to teach and in a few of them we are seeing big changes and great progession. As we left a lesson the other night where we taught the family of Richard and Marcela, the spirit was strong and the lesson was great. We took Cesar with us to the lesson and he bore the most pure testimony I think I have ever heard. Every person in the house was touched by the spirit and the family of Richard and Marcela told us that they know this is true. They want to be baptised but she said that she doesn't want to be one of those people that gets baptised and 1 year later is inactive. She doesnt feel ready to do a covenant with God, but she told us on Saturday that she is going to fast next Saturday so she can have the faith to be baptised. It is truly a blessing seeing the family progress. Their daughter Barbara has gone to church the last 3 week alone and loves it. Marcela said that Barbara will be the one to help the family be baptised. It was a great lesson and seeing the change in peoples lives is the greatest blessing and CHRISTMAS GIFT ever. As we left the house Elder Martinez and I began to talk about the mission and we began to talk about the change in the family Fuenzalida. As a missionary life at times is hard, We have tough days that at times really kill ones desires to keep on keepin on. But when one sees that an investigator applies the atonement of Christ in their lives it makes all the tough times worth it. It is a great joy and I personally think that it is a small part of the eternal joy that our Father in Heaven has in store for us. It was a great week and the spirit of Christmas has touched my soul deeply.
Im grateful for the opportunity that I have to talk to you all tomorrow for an hour. I can't wait to hear your voices and feel of the spirit through the phone. The spirit is like the sun, it's in all parts and even though we will talk on the phone we will all be able to feel of the spirit of God.
Dad thanks so much for your letter, it touched me very deeply and it was the first time that I have cried reading one of my letters. How blessed we are to have eachother as a family, to have a little part of heaven in our home where we can enjoy a little part of the eternal happiness that is to come. I love this gospel, I love our Savior and I am so grateful for his birth and his atonement. May we all feel of his love and kindness as we celebrate y remember his birth. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, which allows us to have a hope and purpose here on earth. And the greatest of all which is the center of the great plan of God is our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ and I love him with all of my heart. Thanks for everyhting and I cannot wait for tomorrow when I will hear your voices and feel of your spirit.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason Casper
Hermana Casper 12/24/2007
HELLO MY MOST BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!
WOW…I LOVE YOU GUYS SO STINKIN´DARN MUCH! AND THAT´S EVEN MORE THAN I CAN EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS. IT WAS SO FUN TO HEAR YOUR VOICES WHEN I CALLED TO SET UP OUR CALL FOR TOMORROW…YOU SOUND SO GREAT! LIKE I´VE SAID BEFORE…THE SPIRIT TESTIFIES TO ME OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN AMAZING, RIGHTEOUS SUPPORT FOR ME.
Well…MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TOMORROW! Like you said, I can´t even believe that it´s already been a year since we last talked. MY PRICELESS TIME HERE IN PARAGUAY HAS FLOWN BY…AND CONTINUES TO FLY BY. I can´t even believe it. Most of the time, I don´t even know what to do or think because I know that time just keeps passing and the Lord has so much more for me to fulfill. That´s what I love about life…the Lord always give us room and the opportunity to improve and become better. IT´S A NEVERENDING BLESSING THAT WE HAVE. For that very reason…it makes me so sad to think that people think they have to conform and live life as they always do, instead of growing. WE CANNOT CONFORM…THE LORD SURELY DIDN´T SEND US HERE TO LIVE A COMFORTABLE, CARE FREE LIFE. IT´S NOT HIS PLAN FOR US! What He wants, is for us to be tested and tried to be proven faithful and righteous before Him. I love sharing this glorious message with the people here in Paraguay. IT´S THE GREATEST PRIVELIGE THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME THUS FAR IN MY LIFE.
I am so darn excited to talk to you all tomorrow. THANKS ASH, LACE, GRAMMS, MEG AND EVERYONE FOR ALWAYS BEING SO GREAT ABOUT WRITING ME. I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT. Also, how´s my Nana? Please let her know that I love her and i´m praying for her quick recovery. Send my love to all in the Casper fam.
WELL…HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DAY AND CHRISTMAS EVE. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR…AND JUST SO YOU KNOW…IT DOESN´T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD. I feel the same here as I do back home…just A LOT HOTTER!
Stay strong, obedient, diligent and do all that you can each and every day to serve the Lord. What better way can we show Him of our love, than serving Him? There is none.
SEND MY LOVE TO ALL!
1434 AND MORE THAN THE CUTE, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THAT THESE CUTE PARAGUAYANS STRING ABOUT THEIR HOUSES!
Lars.
WOW…I LOVE YOU GUYS SO STINKIN´DARN MUCH! AND THAT´S EVEN MORE THAN I CAN EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS. IT WAS SO FUN TO HEAR YOUR VOICES WHEN I CALLED TO SET UP OUR CALL FOR TOMORROW…YOU SOUND SO GREAT! LIKE I´VE SAID BEFORE…THE SPIRIT TESTIFIES TO ME OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN AMAZING, RIGHTEOUS SUPPORT FOR ME.
Well…MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TOMORROW! Like you said, I can´t even believe that it´s already been a year since we last talked. MY PRICELESS TIME HERE IN PARAGUAY HAS FLOWN BY…AND CONTINUES TO FLY BY. I can´t even believe it. Most of the time, I don´t even know what to do or think because I know that time just keeps passing and the Lord has so much more for me to fulfill. That´s what I love about life…the Lord always give us room and the opportunity to improve and become better. IT´S A NEVERENDING BLESSING THAT WE HAVE. For that very reason…it makes me so sad to think that people think they have to conform and live life as they always do, instead of growing. WE CANNOT CONFORM…THE LORD SURELY DIDN´T SEND US HERE TO LIVE A COMFORTABLE, CARE FREE LIFE. IT´S NOT HIS PLAN FOR US! What He wants, is for us to be tested and tried to be proven faithful and righteous before Him. I love sharing this glorious message with the people here in Paraguay. IT´S THE GREATEST PRIVELIGE THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME THUS FAR IN MY LIFE.
I am so darn excited to talk to you all tomorrow. THANKS ASH, LACE, GRAMMS, MEG AND EVERYONE FOR ALWAYS BEING SO GREAT ABOUT WRITING ME. I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT. Also, how´s my Nana? Please let her know that I love her and i´m praying for her quick recovery. Send my love to all in the Casper fam.
WELL…HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DAY AND CHRISTMAS EVE. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR…AND JUST SO YOU KNOW…IT DOESN´T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD. I feel the same here as I do back home…just A LOT HOTTER!
Stay strong, obedient, diligent and do all that you can each and every day to serve the Lord. What better way can we show Him of our love, than serving Him? There is none.
SEND MY LOVE TO ALL!
1434 AND MORE THAN THE CUTE, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THAT THESE CUTE PARAGUAYANS STRING ABOUT THEIR HOUSES!
Lars.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Elder Casper 12/18/2007
Family-
Hey just to get things cleared up, I am going to call on Tuesday at 6:30 my time so that I can talk with laur also. The number is 56072821520 and I will be waiting Tuesday at 6:30 my time and 2:30 your time. I'm super excited to talk to you all and my emotiones are running in this wonderful time of year. What a treasure it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Well also to answer one of your questiones...yes I did open all of my presents other than the one that said, "open christmas day". Thanks for the presents and I will open the other one before we talk next week.
Well we had a good week, we were able to find 5 new investigatores and we had 2 in church. We also had a baptism this week and there was a cool story to what happened with Cesar who got baptised. Well he met his girlfriend who is a member in September and then he started recieving the missionaries. Well when he accepted to be baptised he asked his parents if they were going to support him, and they said no, and that they wouldnt go to his baptism or anything. Well during priesthood meeting on Sunday the door opened and two guys walked in, and they both looked a lot like Cesar and it turns out that it was his dad and brother. After church he introduced us to his mom and he was shocked that they made an appearance at his baptism. The baptism was amazing, the spirit was possibly the strongest that I have felt in a baptism and at the end he bore his testimony and expressed his gratitud for the unexpected appearance of his family at his baptism. He then told his parents that the decision he made to be baptised wasn't to hurt them, but to become a better person and to help his family to have more union and love in their home. The parents were very emotional and after the baptism his mom came up to Elder Martinez and I and said "today was a casuality that i am here, but next Sunday I will be here also." She said the spirit touched her very powerfully and that she felt very good in the church. It truly is amazing how the Lord works, it was a great experience.
My sector and zone are good. I am back in the south as I said and the mission work is down. The missionaries don't have much faith and tend to lose faith each week. We are doing well Elder Martinez and I, he is so funny and we have so much fun together. We lost our other baptismal date this week but we have some great plans for this coming week with our new investigators and we hope to have dates for 2 families here soon.
Yesterday we had the mission Christmas activity and it was an absolute blast. We had a sports day as a mission and we played, dodgeball, basketball, soccer, 4 square, football and frisby...it was way fun and I truly enjoyed the day. President and Hermana Resek are so awesome and they are so fun to be around. Don't worry, in dodge ball I totally took president out like 4 times. It was so fun but he is possibly the best ping pong player I have ever seen...he destroyed me.
Well it was a great week and I can't believe that christmas is next week. Well I want to wish all a Merry Christmas; Nana, Papa, Grams, Phil and Janet, Grandma Yvonne, all the aunts and uncles and cousins. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful season and holiday and remember the birth of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. I hope that you all have a great holiday and that we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas. The gifts are great and the time with the family but there is no greater gift than the birth of Christ and later, in his earthly ministry the atonement that he fulfilled. I love our Savior, i know he lives and that he loves us. I know that through him and his atonement we can all be forgiven of our sins and return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. I pray that we all may enjoy this wonderful day and that we may always remember the true meaning of Christmas.
I love you all so much, much more than you can comprehend and Iam sorry for the lack of communication that I have had with you over the past year or so. Please be understanding and know that your all in my thoughts and prayers, always, and especially in this season of year.
I love you all and cant wait to hear from you and see you next year at this time.
Mom and Dad, Tuesday at 6:30 my time so that we can all talk as a family, the number is at the start of the email. Once again and I will be talking to you next week. wooohooooo!
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Hey just to get things cleared up, I am going to call on Tuesday at 6:30 my time so that I can talk with laur also. The number is 56072821520 and I will be waiting Tuesday at 6:30 my time and 2:30 your time. I'm super excited to talk to you all and my emotiones are running in this wonderful time of year. What a treasure it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Well also to answer one of your questiones...yes I did open all of my presents other than the one that said, "open christmas day". Thanks for the presents and I will open the other one before we talk next week.
Well we had a good week, we were able to find 5 new investigatores and we had 2 in church. We also had a baptism this week and there was a cool story to what happened with Cesar who got baptised. Well he met his girlfriend who is a member in September and then he started recieving the missionaries. Well when he accepted to be baptised he asked his parents if they were going to support him, and they said no, and that they wouldnt go to his baptism or anything. Well during priesthood meeting on Sunday the door opened and two guys walked in, and they both looked a lot like Cesar and it turns out that it was his dad and brother. After church he introduced us to his mom and he was shocked that they made an appearance at his baptism. The baptism was amazing, the spirit was possibly the strongest that I have felt in a baptism and at the end he bore his testimony and expressed his gratitud for the unexpected appearance of his family at his baptism. He then told his parents that the decision he made to be baptised wasn't to hurt them, but to become a better person and to help his family to have more union and love in their home. The parents were very emotional and after the baptism his mom came up to Elder Martinez and I and said "today was a casuality that i am here, but next Sunday I will be here also." She said the spirit touched her very powerfully and that she felt very good in the church. It truly is amazing how the Lord works, it was a great experience.
My sector and zone are good. I am back in the south as I said and the mission work is down. The missionaries don't have much faith and tend to lose faith each week. We are doing well Elder Martinez and I, he is so funny and we have so much fun together. We lost our other baptismal date this week but we have some great plans for this coming week with our new investigators and we hope to have dates for 2 families here soon.
Yesterday we had the mission Christmas activity and it was an absolute blast. We had a sports day as a mission and we played, dodgeball, basketball, soccer, 4 square, football and frisby...it was way fun and I truly enjoyed the day. President and Hermana Resek are so awesome and they are so fun to be around. Don't worry, in dodge ball I totally took president out like 4 times. It was so fun but he is possibly the best ping pong player I have ever seen...he destroyed me.
Well it was a great week and I can't believe that christmas is next week. Well I want to wish all a Merry Christmas; Nana, Papa, Grams, Phil and Janet, Grandma Yvonne, all the aunts and uncles and cousins. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful season and holiday and remember the birth of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. I hope that you all have a great holiday and that we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas. The gifts are great and the time with the family but there is no greater gift than the birth of Christ and later, in his earthly ministry the atonement that he fulfilled. I love our Savior, i know he lives and that he loves us. I know that through him and his atonement we can all be forgiven of our sins and return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father. I pray that we all may enjoy this wonderful day and that we may always remember the true meaning of Christmas.
I love you all so much, much more than you can comprehend and Iam sorry for the lack of communication that I have had with you over the past year or so. Please be understanding and know that your all in my thoughts and prayers, always, and especially in this season of year.
I love you all and cant wait to hear from you and see you next year at this time.
Mom and Dad, Tuesday at 6:30 my time so that we can all talk as a family, the number is at the start of the email. Once again and I will be talking to you next week. wooohooooo!
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Monday, December 17, 2007
Hermana Casper 12/17/2007
HEY YOU GUYS!
OH MY GOODNESS…I LOVE YOU SO DARN MUCH! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I´M GOING TO TALK TO YOU A WEEK FROM TOMORROW? WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME! I MISS HEARING YOUR VOICES! AND MASEY´S TOO! I´M SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH AMAZING BROTHERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS…YOU GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE.
FIRST OF ALL…please tell Nana how much I love her. I am so sorry to hear what happened…but i´m so grateful that you were all there to help her. Goodness mom! The things that happen to you when Dad´s out of town! It´s always been that way! But please give Nana a gentle hug (cause she´s pretty fragile right now!) and let her know how much I love her. As for papa…give him a good squeeze for me!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT CHRISTMAS IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY? I CANNOT. I CAN´T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW QUICKLY THE TIME IS PASSING BEFORE MY EYES…IT SCARES ME LOTS! IT SCARES ME TO KNOW THAT MY TIME HERE IN ENDING SO QUICKLY AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I´VE JUST BEGUN…SO MUCH TO DO. BUT I´M NOT TRUNKY MASE…QUIT SAYING THAT! I also still have a good chunk of time here…and more and more each day I feel like I just got here and it weirds me out. And my comps brand new and that´s weird also because I feel like we have the same amount of time here! SHE´S AMAZING! The lord blessed me with a great daughter! And hopefully someday I have grandkids! Ha ha!
As for this week…it was a good one. I must say…we found an amazing family last night. The very last few moments we spent working, we were doing contacts and we starting talking to this family. THEY ARE SO STINKING COOL! They invited us to their house and it´s beautiful…not to mention, we both felt so darn comfortable talking to them. THEY ARE DEFINITELY FUTURE MEMBERS! Their son went to Brazil to travel for a week or so and we were talking about the places we saw in Rio. IT TOOK ME BACK! ASH AND LACE…WE SURELY HAVE TO GO THERE WHEN WE GO TO PICK UP MASE! PLEASE! I feel as though I would appreciate a trip there so much more than I did before. I LOVE TO TRAVEL AND SEE THE CULTURES, AND NEW THINGS!
I´ve realized this week that the saddest thing for me is disobedience. It really hit me that so many of us are not obedient, and the Lord is sad as well and frankly cannot bless us when we act in such ways. Please don´t worry…I´m not being disobedient! Cleary, i´m not perfect…but that´s one thing I always try to be is obedient. Thank you for always teaching me of its importance.
BERGIE…PLEASE COME TO UTAH AND BE WITH ME! I´VE PRAYED FOR YOU EACH DAY THIS WEEK AND KNOW THAT WE WOULD HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND IT WOULD BE SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! PRAY LOTS AND THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU…AND IN DOING SO…YOU´LL BE HAPPY. I PROMISE YOU.
PHIL AND JANET…I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! IT´S GREAT TO HEAR THAT YOU´RE BOTH DOING SO WELL. I SAW YOUR PIC NOT TOO LONG AGO AND IT MADE ME SO HAPPY. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING SUCH A GREAT SUPPORT FOR MY FAMILY…CAN´T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I´M GETTING ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE EXCITED TO MEET YOU GUYS…AND THEY ARE SO EXCITED! I CAN´T BELIEVE THAT YOU´RE COMING! DID YOU CALL THE OFFICE? CALL WHEN YOU CAN…ELDER HAMILTON WILL HELP YOU.
WELL…LOVE YOU LOTS AND LOTS! NEXT MONDAY…I´LL EMAIL YOU AND ON TUESDAY, I´LL TALK TO YOU! YAY! MOMMY, DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO CALL CASEY? PLEASE DO SO. I WANT HER TO KNOW OF MY IDEA AND SEE IF SHE WILL BE NEEDING ME TO WORK THERE AGAIN OR EVEN WANT ME TO.
GOTTA GO…WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACTIVITY WITH THE SISTERS TODAY AND WE ARE GOING TO SING IN A OLDFOLKS HOME. FUN! I LOVE SERVING AND HELPING OTHERS…THE LIFE IS ABOUT SERVICE AND LOVE.
TELL MY MEGS AND KELL THAT I LOVE THEM…AND MY STINKER BOYS…AND HUG EACHOTHER MILLIONS OF TIMES FOR ME. AND KISS EACHOTHER AS WELL!!!
1434 and more than all of the firecrackers that are exploding here this time of year….christmas in paraguay is one of a kind! No snow, but lots of love and lights like back at home. CHOU!
Lars.
OH MY GOODNESS…I LOVE YOU SO DARN MUCH! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I´M GOING TO TALK TO YOU A WEEK FROM TOMORROW? WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME! I MISS HEARING YOUR VOICES! AND MASEY´S TOO! I´M SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH AMAZING BROTHERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS…YOU GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE.
FIRST OF ALL…please tell Nana how much I love her. I am so sorry to hear what happened…but i´m so grateful that you were all there to help her. Goodness mom! The things that happen to you when Dad´s out of town! It´s always been that way! But please give Nana a gentle hug (cause she´s pretty fragile right now!) and let her know how much I love her. As for papa…give him a good squeeze for me!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT CHRISTMAS IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY? I CANNOT. I CAN´T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW QUICKLY THE TIME IS PASSING BEFORE MY EYES…IT SCARES ME LOTS! IT SCARES ME TO KNOW THAT MY TIME HERE IN ENDING SO QUICKLY AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I´VE JUST BEGUN…SO MUCH TO DO. BUT I´M NOT TRUNKY MASE…QUIT SAYING THAT! I also still have a good chunk of time here…and more and more each day I feel like I just got here and it weirds me out. And my comps brand new and that´s weird also because I feel like we have the same amount of time here! SHE´S AMAZING! The lord blessed me with a great daughter! And hopefully someday I have grandkids! Ha ha!
As for this week…it was a good one. I must say…we found an amazing family last night. The very last few moments we spent working, we were doing contacts and we starting talking to this family. THEY ARE SO STINKING COOL! They invited us to their house and it´s beautiful…not to mention, we both felt so darn comfortable talking to them. THEY ARE DEFINITELY FUTURE MEMBERS! Their son went to Brazil to travel for a week or so and we were talking about the places we saw in Rio. IT TOOK ME BACK! ASH AND LACE…WE SURELY HAVE TO GO THERE WHEN WE GO TO PICK UP MASE! PLEASE! I feel as though I would appreciate a trip there so much more than I did before. I LOVE TO TRAVEL AND SEE THE CULTURES, AND NEW THINGS!
I´ve realized this week that the saddest thing for me is disobedience. It really hit me that so many of us are not obedient, and the Lord is sad as well and frankly cannot bless us when we act in such ways. Please don´t worry…I´m not being disobedient! Cleary, i´m not perfect…but that´s one thing I always try to be is obedient. Thank you for always teaching me of its importance.
BERGIE…PLEASE COME TO UTAH AND BE WITH ME! I´VE PRAYED FOR YOU EACH DAY THIS WEEK AND KNOW THAT WE WOULD HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND IT WOULD BE SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! PRAY LOTS AND THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU…AND IN DOING SO…YOU´LL BE HAPPY. I PROMISE YOU.
PHIL AND JANET…I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! IT´S GREAT TO HEAR THAT YOU´RE BOTH DOING SO WELL. I SAW YOUR PIC NOT TOO LONG AGO AND IT MADE ME SO HAPPY. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING SUCH A GREAT SUPPORT FOR MY FAMILY…CAN´T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I´M GETTING ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE EXCITED TO MEET YOU GUYS…AND THEY ARE SO EXCITED! I CAN´T BELIEVE THAT YOU´RE COMING! DID YOU CALL THE OFFICE? CALL WHEN YOU CAN…ELDER HAMILTON WILL HELP YOU.
WELL…LOVE YOU LOTS AND LOTS! NEXT MONDAY…I´LL EMAIL YOU AND ON TUESDAY, I´LL TALK TO YOU! YAY! MOMMY, DID YOU GET A CHANCE TO CALL CASEY? PLEASE DO SO. I WANT HER TO KNOW OF MY IDEA AND SEE IF SHE WILL BE NEEDING ME TO WORK THERE AGAIN OR EVEN WANT ME TO.
GOTTA GO…WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACTIVITY WITH THE SISTERS TODAY AND WE ARE GOING TO SING IN A OLDFOLKS HOME. FUN! I LOVE SERVING AND HELPING OTHERS…THE LIFE IS ABOUT SERVICE AND LOVE.
TELL MY MEGS AND KELL THAT I LOVE THEM…AND MY STINKER BOYS…AND HUG EACHOTHER MILLIONS OF TIMES FOR ME. AND KISS EACHOTHER AS WELL!!!
1434 and more than all of the firecrackers that are exploding here this time of year….christmas in paraguay is one of a kind! No snow, but lots of love and lights like back at home. CHOU!
Lars.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Elder Casper 12/10/2007
Familiy-
Hey guys whats going on? Have i ever told you how much i love you? Well it's undescribable but just so you all know i love you more than the BREAD here in chile...
Mom to answer your question, YES I did recieve my Christmas package, wow I can't even express how awesome it is getting a package. I also received one from Jimmy and Julia, thanks so much. It truly is such a great blessing and helps a lot. I loved everything you sent me and it couldn't have been better. Jim and Jewlz, thanks so much for you support and love, for the goodies and everything you gave me, all the schooling supplies will be great for some of the members in our branch.
Well to start things off it was one of the funnest weeks of my mission. Elder Martinez is so awesome and we have so much fun together. Not a minute of the day goes by when we aren't laughing. Also the other Elders that live with us are super funny too, although this week they got in an argument and Presidente Resek had to come and do a special interview with them. They almost fought, but things are all good now. But it was a hard week as far as finding and teaching goes. We didn't find a single investigator and we only taught 7 lessons. We did a ton of contacts and this coming week will be great. Yesterday we were analizing why we hadn't been able to find people, and we spoke with a ton of people. We knocked doors every day and we set up 23 appointments...but every single one of them fell through on us. Sometimes the Lord gives us trials to see how truly dedicated we are to his work, and this week was one of those weeks.
We have two baptismal dates and this coming Sunday a 26 year old named Cesar gets baptised. He is a stud and yesterday as an investigator he taught the class in priesthood meeting. It is good to be back out here in the country and to be out of the city, its so relaxed out here and I'm truly enjoying it a lot.
I also recieved in the package the pictures of you 6 at home, I love them to death and I definatly will be carrying them in my bag every day to show to those we teach. The boys are getting big and before we know it Cole will be taller than us all. I also recieved a post card that you guys sent to Lauren from Morocco but for some reason it got to me in stead of her. It was nice and I'll send it to laur. Kam Crandall also wrote me and it was awesome to hear from him, he sounds so great and now is home. It's so crazy how fast time is going, Christmas is just around the corner and in two weeks we will be talking over the phone. Next week I'll send you the number of the house where you can call me. I'm stoked to talk to all, Kirk, Kaid and the family. You truly are my pride and joy.
We had a way funny experience this week as a companionship, and Elder Martinez is helping me a lot to truly enjoy my mission and to be myself. Its been a way fun week. Well that's too bad that Camila isn't going to stay at our house. It would have been cool, but I won't be seeing her, I'm 4 hours away but I'll talk to elder Roman at Christmas and I think I'll send stuff with him to give to her to take to you guys.
Well that was our week, not too much excitment but this coming week we will see the fruits of our labors and we will have some great experiences. You all sounds great, I love and miss you all so much. I hope that your trip to paraguay goes well, AT LEAST LAUR WONT BE TRUNKY HERE IN ABOUT 4 OR 5 WEEKS. Keep her working, it's the only way to be truly happy in the mission. I love this work and I'm grateful to be engaged in it.
Have a great week and know that you are in my prayers. Pray hard, study hard and do what the Lord asks and you will be blessed.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
P.S. Sorry I didn't send pics, my batteries are dead. Also, I recieved an email from Melissa Ellis and it was really good to hear from her. love ya.
Hey guys whats going on? Have i ever told you how much i love you? Well it's undescribable but just so you all know i love you more than the BREAD here in chile...
Mom to answer your question, YES I did recieve my Christmas package, wow I can't even express how awesome it is getting a package. I also received one from Jimmy and Julia, thanks so much. It truly is such a great blessing and helps a lot. I loved everything you sent me and it couldn't have been better. Jim and Jewlz, thanks so much for you support and love, for the goodies and everything you gave me, all the schooling supplies will be great for some of the members in our branch.
Well to start things off it was one of the funnest weeks of my mission. Elder Martinez is so awesome and we have so much fun together. Not a minute of the day goes by when we aren't laughing. Also the other Elders that live with us are super funny too, although this week they got in an argument and Presidente Resek had to come and do a special interview with them. They almost fought, but things are all good now. But it was a hard week as far as finding and teaching goes. We didn't find a single investigator and we only taught 7 lessons. We did a ton of contacts and this coming week will be great. Yesterday we were analizing why we hadn't been able to find people, and we spoke with a ton of people. We knocked doors every day and we set up 23 appointments...but every single one of them fell through on us. Sometimes the Lord gives us trials to see how truly dedicated we are to his work, and this week was one of those weeks.
We have two baptismal dates and this coming Sunday a 26 year old named Cesar gets baptised. He is a stud and yesterday as an investigator he taught the class in priesthood meeting. It is good to be back out here in the country and to be out of the city, its so relaxed out here and I'm truly enjoying it a lot.
I also recieved in the package the pictures of you 6 at home, I love them to death and I definatly will be carrying them in my bag every day to show to those we teach. The boys are getting big and before we know it Cole will be taller than us all. I also recieved a post card that you guys sent to Lauren from Morocco but for some reason it got to me in stead of her. It was nice and I'll send it to laur. Kam Crandall also wrote me and it was awesome to hear from him, he sounds so great and now is home. It's so crazy how fast time is going, Christmas is just around the corner and in two weeks we will be talking over the phone. Next week I'll send you the number of the house where you can call me. I'm stoked to talk to all, Kirk, Kaid and the family. You truly are my pride and joy.
We had a way funny experience this week as a companionship, and Elder Martinez is helping me a lot to truly enjoy my mission and to be myself. Its been a way fun week. Well that's too bad that Camila isn't going to stay at our house. It would have been cool, but I won't be seeing her, I'm 4 hours away but I'll talk to elder Roman at Christmas and I think I'll send stuff with him to give to her to take to you guys.
Well that was our week, not too much excitment but this coming week we will see the fruits of our labors and we will have some great experiences. You all sounds great, I love and miss you all so much. I hope that your trip to paraguay goes well, AT LEAST LAUR WONT BE TRUNKY HERE IN ABOUT 4 OR 5 WEEKS. Keep her working, it's the only way to be truly happy in the mission. I love this work and I'm grateful to be engaged in it.
Have a great week and know that you are in my prayers. Pray hard, study hard and do what the Lord asks and you will be blessed.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
P.S. Sorry I didn't send pics, my batteries are dead. Also, I recieved an email from Melissa Ellis and it was really good to hear from her. love ya.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Hermana Casper 12/10/2007
HEY YOU GUYS!
OH MY GOODNESS…I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Wow, I am so happy to hear about Nate Fullmer and his AMAZING CALL! What an incredibly huge blessing! I can´t even begin to explain to him or all of you the blessing that a mission will be for him. Granted, it´s not Paraguay, but he will see amazing things there as well! Ha ha! No, but really, he´s like my little brother and it just made me so darn happy. I was stoked all week to be able to know where he´s going…and now…I will be praying lots and lots for him. My advice for him…study study study the scriptures and preach my gospel before going. I walked into the mission blind! (as far as doctrine is concerned!) But, my testimony was enough to give me a good start. Study lots and pray lots…the Lord will guide you.
And as for Bergie…I WANT HER TO BE THERE WITH ME WHEN I GET HOME MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. I LOVE HER SO DARN MUCH…AND SHE´S ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS. Please call her and let her know that I love her, and that I will be praying for her so she knows what will be best for her. Of course, I know the Lord would love her to be there with us! HOLLA! I wrote her not too long ago and hopefully she gets the letter soon. ALSO…PLEASE CALL BRINNER RIGHT NOW AND TELL HER HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME ON FRIDAY…I LOVE HER SO MUCH! Also, it´s funny that I also remembered that it was Ryan Pickering´s birthday on the 4th…where that came from…I HAVE NO CLUE! Let him know for me, If you see him. Just one of those random things you remember.
Mommy…I was thinking about it this week. Could you please talk to Casey to see if i´ll be able to work there at UVP when I get home? I KNOW I HAVE LOTS OF TIME LEFT! DON´T WORRY ABOUT THAT! But…I would love to work there again. Please let her know that. I talked to the president the other day and he said that he would love for you to send him an email or something to communicate with him about coming to get me. I´M SO STOKED! But…he said that it will be best to buy the tickets for the day that we actually have changes here. Acutally, that you can arrive the actual day that we are to be changed…that´s April 16th. I know, you probably thought that i´m coming home in March, but we stay a little longer than a year and a half for the changes. SORRY FOR THE BAD NEWS! So, if you can schedule it to get here on April 16th during the day, that´d be great! The numbers that I have Daddy…021-612-630, 0971-192-992. Talk to Elder Hamilton…he´s my buddy and he´ll help you out! BUT NO MORE TALK ABOUT THAT…IT MAKES ME EXCITED TO SEE YOU!
AS FOR THE WORK…ALL IS GREAT! We had a really good week and we are starting to find more great investigators. BIG SURPRISE…I´M STAYING IN LUQUE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! WE´RE GOING ON 7 MONTHS HERE! AND I´M STAYING WITH MY DAUGHTER THE HNA. ARREDONDO! Also…I will have 6 changes straight with a latin and i´m so blessed for that…my Spanish keeps getting better and I learn lots everyday. It´s really funny for me…I have more than a year in Paraguay and i´ve only had 2 areas. It´s pretty crazy, but alright with me. It really gives me the chance to get to know the people really well and grow to love them even more. WHEN YOU COME…YOU´LL BE ABLE TO SEE WHY I LOVE IT HERE SO MUCH. THE PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLE!
Remember that sister missionary that was coming home from here and on the same plane as grams? Hermana Gardner? The red-head? Well…I got word that she is here in Paraguay right now…and she´s marrying a Paraguayan on the 14th of this month. They will be living here. DON´T WORRY ABOUT ME DOING SOMETHING INSANE LIKE THAT! ISN´T THAT CRAZY? They´ll be in my prayers! AAAHHHH!!!
What else…we went to the lake today…but I didn´t have desires at all to swim cause the water is GROSS! Thank the heavens! I love lakes and water. You wouldn´t believe how great it is to see water…there´s hardly any to none here, and it truly gives life a fresh breath. THE LORD HAS CREATED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR US TO LIVE IN…THE EARTH IS SO BEAUTIFUL! In the states, I´m very grateful that we take a lot better care of our things than they do here…there´s trash everywhere!
Well…LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE THE LORD, THE MISSION AND MOST OF ALL, YOU GUYS! Please let meg and kell know that I love them so much. I HAVE THE GREATEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD. Also…Mom, Wendy and Meg…you all look incredible! Skinny, young and beautiful! Each of you! (Especially megs…you´ve changed a lot and when I look at you, I know that you´re truly living your life in the way the Lord wants you to. Keep up the good work!)
Please let gramms, sarah, jules, nana and papa, and EVERYONE know that I love them. Gramms…keep working hard! Nana and Papa…keep being the great, amazing grandparents that you are to each of us. I love you all so much…NEVER DOUBT IT! And masey…wow, you are amazing. I love you so much my most amazing brother. And ash and lace…hugs and kisses. Ash, thanks for being such a great missionary. We´ll share stories when I get home! And coley…one of my most beloved little girls here has a crush on you…please write her a little note! Her name´s Daisy!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH…KNOW THAT I´M GREAT, HEALTHY AND DOING AWESOME. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND KEEP DOING ALL THAT YOU CAN TO SERVE THE LORD. HE DESERVES IT. WE CAN NEVER REPAY HIM FOR ALL THAT HE´S DONE!
1434 and more than the millions of gross diseases in the lake of aregua today!
Siss.
OH MY GOODNESS…I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Wow, I am so happy to hear about Nate Fullmer and his AMAZING CALL! What an incredibly huge blessing! I can´t even begin to explain to him or all of you the blessing that a mission will be for him. Granted, it´s not Paraguay, but he will see amazing things there as well! Ha ha! No, but really, he´s like my little brother and it just made me so darn happy. I was stoked all week to be able to know where he´s going…and now…I will be praying lots and lots for him. My advice for him…study study study the scriptures and preach my gospel before going. I walked into the mission blind! (as far as doctrine is concerned!) But, my testimony was enough to give me a good start. Study lots and pray lots…the Lord will guide you.
And as for Bergie…I WANT HER TO BE THERE WITH ME WHEN I GET HOME MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. I LOVE HER SO DARN MUCH…AND SHE´S ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS. Please call her and let her know that I love her, and that I will be praying for her so she knows what will be best for her. Of course, I know the Lord would love her to be there with us! HOLLA! I wrote her not too long ago and hopefully she gets the letter soon. ALSO…PLEASE CALL BRINNER RIGHT NOW AND TELL HER HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME ON FRIDAY…I LOVE HER SO MUCH! Also, it´s funny that I also remembered that it was Ryan Pickering´s birthday on the 4th…where that came from…I HAVE NO CLUE! Let him know for me, If you see him. Just one of those random things you remember.
Mommy…I was thinking about it this week. Could you please talk to Casey to see if i´ll be able to work there at UVP when I get home? I KNOW I HAVE LOTS OF TIME LEFT! DON´T WORRY ABOUT THAT! But…I would love to work there again. Please let her know that. I talked to the president the other day and he said that he would love for you to send him an email or something to communicate with him about coming to get me. I´M SO STOKED! But…he said that it will be best to buy the tickets for the day that we actually have changes here. Acutally, that you can arrive the actual day that we are to be changed…that´s April 16th. I know, you probably thought that i´m coming home in March, but we stay a little longer than a year and a half for the changes. SORRY FOR THE BAD NEWS! So, if you can schedule it to get here on April 16th during the day, that´d be great! The numbers that I have Daddy…021-612-630, 0971-192-992. Talk to Elder Hamilton…he´s my buddy and he´ll help you out! BUT NO MORE TALK ABOUT THAT…IT MAKES ME EXCITED TO SEE YOU!
AS FOR THE WORK…ALL IS GREAT! We had a really good week and we are starting to find more great investigators. BIG SURPRISE…I´M STAYING IN LUQUE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! WE´RE GOING ON 7 MONTHS HERE! AND I´M STAYING WITH MY DAUGHTER THE HNA. ARREDONDO! Also…I will have 6 changes straight with a latin and i´m so blessed for that…my Spanish keeps getting better and I learn lots everyday. It´s really funny for me…I have more than a year in Paraguay and i´ve only had 2 areas. It´s pretty crazy, but alright with me. It really gives me the chance to get to know the people really well and grow to love them even more. WHEN YOU COME…YOU´LL BE ABLE TO SEE WHY I LOVE IT HERE SO MUCH. THE PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLE!
Remember that sister missionary that was coming home from here and on the same plane as grams? Hermana Gardner? The red-head? Well…I got word that she is here in Paraguay right now…and she´s marrying a Paraguayan on the 14th of this month. They will be living here. DON´T WORRY ABOUT ME DOING SOMETHING INSANE LIKE THAT! ISN´T THAT CRAZY? They´ll be in my prayers! AAAHHHH!!!
What else…we went to the lake today…but I didn´t have desires at all to swim cause the water is GROSS! Thank the heavens! I love lakes and water. You wouldn´t believe how great it is to see water…there´s hardly any to none here, and it truly gives life a fresh breath. THE LORD HAS CREATED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR US TO LIVE IN…THE EARTH IS SO BEAUTIFUL! In the states, I´m very grateful that we take a lot better care of our things than they do here…there´s trash everywhere!
Well…LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE THE LORD, THE MISSION AND MOST OF ALL, YOU GUYS! Please let meg and kell know that I love them so much. I HAVE THE GREATEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD. Also…Mom, Wendy and Meg…you all look incredible! Skinny, young and beautiful! Each of you! (Especially megs…you´ve changed a lot and when I look at you, I know that you´re truly living your life in the way the Lord wants you to. Keep up the good work!)
Please let gramms, sarah, jules, nana and papa, and EVERYONE know that I love them. Gramms…keep working hard! Nana and Papa…keep being the great, amazing grandparents that you are to each of us. I love you all so much…NEVER DOUBT IT! And masey…wow, you are amazing. I love you so much my most amazing brother. And ash and lace…hugs and kisses. Ash, thanks for being such a great missionary. We´ll share stories when I get home! And coley…one of my most beloved little girls here has a crush on you…please write her a little note! Her name´s Daisy!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH…KNOW THAT I´M GREAT, HEALTHY AND DOING AWESOME. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND KEEP DOING ALL THAT YOU CAN TO SERVE THE LORD. HE DESERVES IT. WE CAN NEVER REPAY HIM FOR ALL THAT HE´S DONE!
1434 and more than the millions of gross diseases in the lake of aregua today!
Siss.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Elder Casper 12/03/2007
Family-
Hey guys whats up? Well I hope all is well...I hope you had a good time in Florida and that Dad and Papa played well. I hope that everyone is healthy and that you know that I love you.
Well we had a good week, yesterday was such a great day. We had the baptism of that family Facondi and Genesis and Matias got baptised. Also in sacrament meeting the family Facondi blessed their baby and we were invited to stand in the circle, it was awesome and the first baby blessing that I have participated in.
On Friday we had concilio with all the leaders of the mission and it went really well. Presidente Resek and the rest of the leaders of the mission truly are inspired to help the mission. Well on Saturday night we recieved our changes. So that you all know, I was transferred to a place called Santa Cruz. My new companion is Elder Martinez and he is from Neuqén, Agentina. He is a stud and has two changes left in his mission. He will go home one week before Lauren. He is a great missionary and a great leader and I'm really excited to be with him. Elder Román and I were way surprised when we recieved our changes, we thought for sure we were going to stay together, but I guess the Lord has other things in store for us. I truly have felt the inspiration of the spirit confirming to me that Elder Martinez is the companion that I need. He is an older missionary and has a ton of experience. He was a zone leader when I got to the mission and after that he was a branch president for 5 months and now a zone leader again. I feel that I will grow a lot of the next 6 to 12 weeks. I also had my interview with President Resek this week and it was great, he always gives me such great advice and I honestly love the man with all of my heart.
It was a good change with Elder Roman. He taught me a ton and I truly have been blessed with the greatest companions. I have had arguments with all of my comps and I feel that maybe I might be able to get along with my WIFE if I can get along with all of my companions, haha.
Well I am really excited to hear how you all are and I hope to hear from you soon. Tell Nana and Papa hi as well as grams, I love you all and please send my love to all the family and friends, we will be talking here soon and I'm straight up stoked. I love you all so very much and you are the greatest family in the world.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Hey guys whats up? Well I hope all is well...I hope you had a good time in Florida and that Dad and Papa played well. I hope that everyone is healthy and that you know that I love you.
Well we had a good week, yesterday was such a great day. We had the baptism of that family Facondi and Genesis and Matias got baptised. Also in sacrament meeting the family Facondi blessed their baby and we were invited to stand in the circle, it was awesome and the first baby blessing that I have participated in.
On Friday we had concilio with all the leaders of the mission and it went really well. Presidente Resek and the rest of the leaders of the mission truly are inspired to help the mission. Well on Saturday night we recieved our changes. So that you all know, I was transferred to a place called Santa Cruz. My new companion is Elder Martinez and he is from Neuqén, Agentina. He is a stud and has two changes left in his mission. He will go home one week before Lauren. He is a great missionary and a great leader and I'm really excited to be with him. Elder Román and I were way surprised when we recieved our changes, we thought for sure we were going to stay together, but I guess the Lord has other things in store for us. I truly have felt the inspiration of the spirit confirming to me that Elder Martinez is the companion that I need. He is an older missionary and has a ton of experience. He was a zone leader when I got to the mission and after that he was a branch president for 5 months and now a zone leader again. I feel that I will grow a lot of the next 6 to 12 weeks. I also had my interview with President Resek this week and it was great, he always gives me such great advice and I honestly love the man with all of my heart.
It was a good change with Elder Roman. He taught me a ton and I truly have been blessed with the greatest companions. I have had arguments with all of my comps and I feel that maybe I might be able to get along with my WIFE if I can get along with all of my companions, haha.
Well I am really excited to hear how you all are and I hope to hear from you soon. Tell Nana and Papa hi as well as grams, I love you all and please send my love to all the family and friends, we will be talking here soon and I'm straight up stoked. I love you all so very much and you are the greatest family in the world.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Hermana Casper 12/03/2007
HEY YOU GUYS!
OH MY GOODNESS...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAMERA! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW STOKED I WAS TO OPEN IT AND SEE THAT IT WAS PINK! I LOVE COLOR...YOU KNOW ME WAY TOO WELL! THANK YOU SO MUCH! The funny thing...we saw a cute, pink sony camera in Luque and I thought, oh how i would love a pink camera! And then my comp was joking with me and kept telling me that she was sure you´d send me one just like it! And it was true! Thank you so much...but I loved the pics of cole and harry more than the camera! My little stinkers are getting so darn big! I CAN´T HANDLE IT!
As For the mish...LIFE IS GOOD! It´s been an interesting week...probably the fastest one that I´ve had in the mission. Literally, I did not see one day because they all passed by so quickly. It scares me because all of a sudden, time has sped up even more. It´s really weird, and I am wondering if it´s something that´s going to happen for the rest of my time here. I AM TREASURING EVERY MOMENT THAT I HAVE LEFT HERE...I KNOW THAT AFTER, MY LIFE WILL CHANGE AND NEVER BE THE SAME. I CAN NEVER COME BACK TO THESE PRICELESS MOMENTS.
We had a great experience that happened this week...one that every missionary desires. We baptized the family of Victor and Nancy this past week...they´re awesome! We got to their house the other night and Victor, began to express how excited and great he feels after being baptized. All of his friends at work now call him the preacher, and make fun of him, but he doesn´t even care. He´s stoked! They told us they can´t even wait to get to church on sunday and participate in the meetings. YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT JOY FILLED MY HEART AS I LISTENED TO THOSE WORDS COME FROM HIS MOUTH...YOU GOTTA KNOW THE GUY! WE NEVER THOUGHT HE´D BE SO CONVERTED TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! AND HE IS! AND I FEEL SO BLESSED TO SEE HIS CONVERSION!
As for Masey...keep working hard buddy. I know, the mission, and life in itself, are both constant growing processes. I also realized this week that I could change quite a few things to become a better missionary, and I have now set goals. JUST KEEP WORKING AT IT...THE LORD LOVES YOU AND IS SO PROUD OF YOU.
I am so glad that you guys had so much fun in Florida...the pics show it! I LOVE MY FAMILY SO STINKIN´MUCH! YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING! Please give Nana and Papa and everyone big hugs and kisses for me, as well as Gramms. AND EVERYONE! Please also thank aunt Judi for her cute emails...I love her and she´s been such a great example to me in my life. I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY EVER!
Please know that all is well...I´m working on becoming a better servant and daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know that to Him...I owe everything. Thank you for all of your love and support...it means more than you could ever know. STAY STRONG, BE DILIGENT AND OBEDIENT AND SERVE IN EVERY WAY THAT YOU CAN.
1434 and more than the butterflies that entered my stomach when I saw my pink camera! (A little exaggerated, but i was pretty excited! After all, a camera is the only thing that can give me butterflies these days! Ha ha!)
Lars
OH MY GOODNESS...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAMERA! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW STOKED I WAS TO OPEN IT AND SEE THAT IT WAS PINK! I LOVE COLOR...YOU KNOW ME WAY TOO WELL! THANK YOU SO MUCH! The funny thing...we saw a cute, pink sony camera in Luque and I thought, oh how i would love a pink camera! And then my comp was joking with me and kept telling me that she was sure you´d send me one just like it! And it was true! Thank you so much...but I loved the pics of cole and harry more than the camera! My little stinkers are getting so darn big! I CAN´T HANDLE IT!
As For the mish...LIFE IS GOOD! It´s been an interesting week...probably the fastest one that I´ve had in the mission. Literally, I did not see one day because they all passed by so quickly. It scares me because all of a sudden, time has sped up even more. It´s really weird, and I am wondering if it´s something that´s going to happen for the rest of my time here. I AM TREASURING EVERY MOMENT THAT I HAVE LEFT HERE...I KNOW THAT AFTER, MY LIFE WILL CHANGE AND NEVER BE THE SAME. I CAN NEVER COME BACK TO THESE PRICELESS MOMENTS.
We had a great experience that happened this week...one that every missionary desires. We baptized the family of Victor and Nancy this past week...they´re awesome! We got to their house the other night and Victor, began to express how excited and great he feels after being baptized. All of his friends at work now call him the preacher, and make fun of him, but he doesn´t even care. He´s stoked! They told us they can´t even wait to get to church on sunday and participate in the meetings. YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT JOY FILLED MY HEART AS I LISTENED TO THOSE WORDS COME FROM HIS MOUTH...YOU GOTTA KNOW THE GUY! WE NEVER THOUGHT HE´D BE SO CONVERTED TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! AND HE IS! AND I FEEL SO BLESSED TO SEE HIS CONVERSION!
As for Masey...keep working hard buddy. I know, the mission, and life in itself, are both constant growing processes. I also realized this week that I could change quite a few things to become a better missionary, and I have now set goals. JUST KEEP WORKING AT IT...THE LORD LOVES YOU AND IS SO PROUD OF YOU.
I am so glad that you guys had so much fun in Florida...the pics show it! I LOVE MY FAMILY SO STINKIN´MUCH! YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING! Please give Nana and Papa and everyone big hugs and kisses for me, as well as Gramms. AND EVERYONE! Please also thank aunt Judi for her cute emails...I love her and she´s been such a great example to me in my life. I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY EVER!
Please know that all is well...I´m working on becoming a better servant and daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know that to Him...I owe everything. Thank you for all of your love and support...it means more than you could ever know. STAY STRONG, BE DILIGENT AND OBEDIENT AND SERVE IN EVERY WAY THAT YOU CAN.
1434 and more than the butterflies that entered my stomach when I saw my pink camera! (A little exaggerated, but i was pretty excited! After all, a camera is the only thing that can give me butterflies these days! Ha ha!)
Lars
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Elder Casper 11/26/2007
Family-
Well another week has flown by…we are in week 6 already and the amount of changes I have left in the mission continues to pass. Lauren is down to 2 changes left in her mission and will be home before we know it.
This week has been absolutely awesome, I have learned many great lessons from simply trusting in the Lord and being diligent in reaching my goals. The language is good, my companion is awesome and teaches me so much, the zone is great and we have such a great unity in the zone, our wards are doing great and it was one of the best weeks of my mission if not the best.
Wow, I cant express the love that I have for this work. This week we set some really high goals as a companionship…As we set the goals I pondered upon if they were really reachable, I began to doubt and I told elder roman that I felt we were exaggerating a little. He started to talk to me about the faith, I came to realize that I haven’t been trusting in the Lord. My companion taught me…He made me change my mind and my attitude about the faith, and I began to ask in every prayer for help to reach our goals and I developed a lot more faith this week. We were able to find 14 investigadores in one ward and 2 in the other, we were truly blessed for our faith and hard work.
This coming Sunday the two kids from the family facondi are going to get baptised and Esteban got changed for the 16th of December. Yesterday we had stake conference and the spirit was so strong, I love this stake that we work in. President Díaz is so inspired and every time we meet with him my testimony of revelation is strengthened for the inspiration we receive with him. We then had an activity of all the returned missionaries from the stake last night and we went to work with return missionaries for 4 hours. I went with one of the bishops from the stake and he taught me a lot. He is 28 and has been bishop for 2 years, he´s a stud. The spirit was so strong in the activity when we returned and everyone shared their testimonies about the experiences that they had.
I learned a lot this week and as Toad mentioned in his email, we need to learn the humility and how to let others teach us how we can overcome our weaknesses. I have learned so much from each one of my companions and its truly a blessing to have them one my hip 24-7.
It sounds like you all had a great time for thanksgiving, I won't lie I didn’t even remember that it was thanksgiving. We ate spaghetti and salad, I didn’t realize until Friday morning that it was thanksgiving so that was probably a good thing. I can only imagine how fun it must have been with the whole family there. Uncle Rick looks good and please send him my love and let him know that he is in my prayers. Thanks for the pictures that you all sent me, I can't even begin to explain how very blessed I am to have you all in my life and for you love and support. I love this gospel, I know that as we live it 100% we are doing the will of the father. I know that Christ lives that he loves us and that he paid for each and every sin, pain, sadness, heart ace and affliction that we have, we have no idea what he has felt and he himself said in D&C 19; he loves us and so does our Father in Heaven. I know Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God and that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, seer and revelator in our day. This is the only true church upon the face of this earth. I love you all more than you´ll ever know.
Have a great week in Florida and always have faith and be positive, and I promise the lord will bless you. Keep studying praying and keeping the commandments, personally and as a family and the unity in our wonderful family will continue to increase. Have a great week and I will inform you on my new changes next Monday.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Well another week has flown by…we are in week 6 already and the amount of changes I have left in the mission continues to pass. Lauren is down to 2 changes left in her mission and will be home before we know it.
This week has been absolutely awesome, I have learned many great lessons from simply trusting in the Lord and being diligent in reaching my goals. The language is good, my companion is awesome and teaches me so much, the zone is great and we have such a great unity in the zone, our wards are doing great and it was one of the best weeks of my mission if not the best.
Wow, I cant express the love that I have for this work. This week we set some really high goals as a companionship…As we set the goals I pondered upon if they were really reachable, I began to doubt and I told elder roman that I felt we were exaggerating a little. He started to talk to me about the faith, I came to realize that I haven’t been trusting in the Lord. My companion taught me…He made me change my mind and my attitude about the faith, and I began to ask in every prayer for help to reach our goals and I developed a lot more faith this week. We were able to find 14 investigadores in one ward and 2 in the other, we were truly blessed for our faith and hard work.
This coming Sunday the two kids from the family facondi are going to get baptised and Esteban got changed for the 16th of December. Yesterday we had stake conference and the spirit was so strong, I love this stake that we work in. President Díaz is so inspired and every time we meet with him my testimony of revelation is strengthened for the inspiration we receive with him. We then had an activity of all the returned missionaries from the stake last night and we went to work with return missionaries for 4 hours. I went with one of the bishops from the stake and he taught me a lot. He is 28 and has been bishop for 2 years, he´s a stud. The spirit was so strong in the activity when we returned and everyone shared their testimonies about the experiences that they had.
I learned a lot this week and as Toad mentioned in his email, we need to learn the humility and how to let others teach us how we can overcome our weaknesses. I have learned so much from each one of my companions and its truly a blessing to have them one my hip 24-7.
It sounds like you all had a great time for thanksgiving, I won't lie I didn’t even remember that it was thanksgiving. We ate spaghetti and salad, I didn’t realize until Friday morning that it was thanksgiving so that was probably a good thing. I can only imagine how fun it must have been with the whole family there. Uncle Rick looks good and please send him my love and let him know that he is in my prayers. Thanks for the pictures that you all sent me, I can't even begin to explain how very blessed I am to have you all in my life and for you love and support. I love this gospel, I know that as we live it 100% we are doing the will of the father. I know that Christ lives that he loves us and that he paid for each and every sin, pain, sadness, heart ace and affliction that we have, we have no idea what he has felt and he himself said in D&C 19; he loves us and so does our Father in Heaven. I know Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God and that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, seer and revelator in our day. This is the only true church upon the face of this earth. I love you all more than you´ll ever know.
Have a great week in Florida and always have faith and be positive, and I promise the lord will bless you. Keep studying praying and keeping the commandments, personally and as a family and the unity in our wonderful family will continue to increase. Have a great week and I will inform you on my new changes next Monday.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Mason N. Casper
Hermana Casper 11/26/2007
HEY YOU GUYS!
I LOVE YOU SO STINKIN´MUCH! THINGS SOUND GREAT AND I´M SO GLAD THAT YOU HAD A FUN THANKSGIVING! TO BE QUITE HONEST, IT WAS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY BUT I STILL WAS ABLE TO PASS THE DAY THINKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I´M GRATEFUL FOR. I ACTUALLY DO IT EVERY DAY HERE…BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH.
I LOVE THE MISSION! IT´S SUCH AN AMAZING JOURNEY…I´M SO LUCKY TO BE HERE.
I must say that the Lord does love me. HE LOVES US ALL! I love you all too! Please let every single person there know that I love them. I couldn´t be any more grateful for the gospel in my life and the joy that you each bring to me. Thank you for being you and doing what you guys do to make my life easier and so much happier.
IS EVERYONE HEALTHY THERE? Please take good care of yourselves! Everyone´s always sick here because of the crazy weather changes. One day it´s BLAZING hot and the next, it´s rainy and cold! WE NEVER KNOW WHAT CLIMATE WILL COME NEXT! Like I said, it´s an adventure!
It was a great week…we had our 2 families arrive for their baptisms and also receive the spirit yesterday in church. WHAT A MIRACLE! I am so grateful to have been able to help them in their journey towards eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Now they just have to keep going strong and keeping all of the commandments. Yesterday I had to teach gospel principles and the lesson was on OBEDIENCE. Why is it so hard for us to be obedient to the Lord at times? It´s the great, mysterious question! Bueno, because there´s always the opposition. But I know with all of my heart that through obedience, we are always taken care of. It´s something i´m trying to develop each and every day.
How cool for Toad! I know that he´ll be an incredible assistant. And so will Mase! (atleast that´s what I think will happen!) He has progressed so much and so quickly in the mission that I have no choice but to think otherwise! I know that the Lord is so very happy with him. I can feel it and the spirit testifies to me.
Well really…things are going just great! It makes me so happy to know that you are all enjoying life and doing your part. I can see it and feel it. PLEASE KEEP PUSHING YOURSELVES EACH AND EVERY DAY. I know i´m not perfect, but I do have desires to become a better, more faithful and obedient daughter of my Heavenly Father. That´s for sure! Have fun on your trip…it´s been almost exactly a year since we saw eachother in the airport and I can hardly even believe it! AAAHHHH! The time has flown by and it seems like the blink of an eye. It´s really
trippy!
Have fun, take lots of pics and please send them to me! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW! YOU´RE MY HEROES!
1434 and more than all of the starz in the sky! BAZILLIONS!
Lars
I LOVE YOU SO STINKIN´MUCH! THINGS SOUND GREAT AND I´M SO GLAD THAT YOU HAD A FUN THANKSGIVING! TO BE QUITE HONEST, IT WAS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY BUT I STILL WAS ABLE TO PASS THE DAY THINKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I´M GRATEFUL FOR. I ACTUALLY DO IT EVERY DAY HERE…BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH.
I LOVE THE MISSION! IT´S SUCH AN AMAZING JOURNEY…I´M SO LUCKY TO BE HERE.
I must say that the Lord does love me. HE LOVES US ALL! I love you all too! Please let every single person there know that I love them. I couldn´t be any more grateful for the gospel in my life and the joy that you each bring to me. Thank you for being you and doing what you guys do to make my life easier and so much happier.
IS EVERYONE HEALTHY THERE? Please take good care of yourselves! Everyone´s always sick here because of the crazy weather changes. One day it´s BLAZING hot and the next, it´s rainy and cold! WE NEVER KNOW WHAT CLIMATE WILL COME NEXT! Like I said, it´s an adventure!
It was a great week…we had our 2 families arrive for their baptisms and also receive the spirit yesterday in church. WHAT A MIRACLE! I am so grateful to have been able to help them in their journey towards eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Now they just have to keep going strong and keeping all of the commandments. Yesterday I had to teach gospel principles and the lesson was on OBEDIENCE. Why is it so hard for us to be obedient to the Lord at times? It´s the great, mysterious question! Bueno, because there´s always the opposition. But I know with all of my heart that through obedience, we are always taken care of. It´s something i´m trying to develop each and every day.
How cool for Toad! I know that he´ll be an incredible assistant. And so will Mase! (atleast that´s what I think will happen!) He has progressed so much and so quickly in the mission that I have no choice but to think otherwise! I know that the Lord is so very happy with him. I can feel it and the spirit testifies to me.
Well really…things are going just great! It makes me so happy to know that you are all enjoying life and doing your part. I can see it and feel it. PLEASE KEEP PUSHING YOURSELVES EACH AND EVERY DAY. I know i´m not perfect, but I do have desires to become a better, more faithful and obedient daughter of my Heavenly Father. That´s for sure! Have fun on your trip…it´s been almost exactly a year since we saw eachother in the airport and I can hardly even believe it! AAAHHHH! The time has flown by and it seems like the blink of an eye. It´s really
trippy!
Have fun, take lots of pics and please send them to me! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW! YOU´RE MY HEROES!
1434 and more than all of the starz in the sky! BAZILLIONS!
Lars
Monday, November 19, 2007
Elder Casper 11/19/2007
Family-
Well its been another great week. We didn’t have much time in the sectors this week because we were doing a lot of stuff to get ready for an activity that we had yesterday. We still have 3 baptismal dates scheduled for Esteban and the two kids Matias and Genesis. I love this marvellous work and I am so grateful for the time I have left to serve. I talked to one of the Hermanas that went home 4 weeks ago and she looked at me and said, Elder Casper how lucky you are, you still have 11 months to share the restored gospel. It blew me away and helped me to understand how great of a blessing it really is to share the restored gospel with these wonderful people in Chile.
Elder Román and I are doing well and we had a good week and we are really excited for this week to come. I cannot believe that we are already in week 5 of this change… the time is going too fast. This week to come we have interviews with President Resek and i'm straight up stoked. The guy nourishes me spiritually every time I talk to him its incredible. But Dad to respond to your question, I feel that my Spanish is getting worse because Elder Roman knows how to speak quite a bit of English so I am trying to help him out and I fell that my Spanish is going down, but that’s all good...all I can do to help my companion.
We had an zone activity this morning and we played soccer and had a BBQ, it was fun and is always good to get out and play sports. I mean I would much rather play golf than soccer but lets be honest…is it possible? No its not!
Well I was pondering a lot on Wednesday about kirk getting home, i'll be honest it made me way trunky, but at the same time really sad. I can't imagine the day when people call me MASON in stead of ELDER CASPER, I will cry. I received the email from Lauren and felt the spirit so strong. I filmed a little today and then watched a little of the last family video that you sent me. Wow, should I even make an attempt so tell you how much I love you all? Well i'll try but it can't be said in words. I love you all so much. To see your faces in pictures and to hear your voices fills my soul with the spirit of love. What is blessing it is to have eachother.
Well Dad and Mom it sounds like all is well and that work is going well for you, I hope everything is continues to go good and I know it will.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING…I can't believe that this is the last thanksgiving I will spend in the mission, I don’t want to get too trunky but let's be honest, there is nothing like spending time with the good ole fam. I hope you have a great thanksgiving while i'm here in Chile eating the same thing every day…I cant imagine eating turkey, I would be in heaven.
Well things are great here, its hotter than the curling iron that burnt me when I was 1, and I sweat constantly. Its almost summer here and tomorrow I complete 14 months in the mission. The time continues to go by fast and it seems like just yesterday I walked into the MTC doors not having a clue what I was doing. Isnt it amazing what the mission does for people?
Dad just so that you guys know, yes Camila is staying for Christmas and will be staying in Utah for 3 weeks with a 1 week visit to California, but as you said just have Asher or Kirk call…in fact have Kirk call, I want to hear what he thinks about the way Chileans speak, they speak so fast and so bad. Well I hope they hear from you this week and I talked to the Mom this week and she is so grateful that we would offer our home to her daughter. She told me that any time we need a place to stay in Chile, her house will always be available.
The mission is growing and we are being so blessed. We had zone leader counsel this week and right now we are lower in numbers than where we were in September and October but this week in our zone we set 4 more baptismal dates and it all depends on our faith as missionaries and if we are willing to give all we have to the Lord and trust in Him. Just think of the confidence that Nephi had in the Lord. Why can't we show our faith like he did? He was also young. It's something i'm working on and I hope that someday I become a man of unwavering faith. I'm thankful for all the blessings I have, especially for my Savior Jesus Christ, for His atoning sacrifice and for the faith that I have in the atonement. I'm thankful for the restoration of the gospel, for the courage and love that Joseph Smith had for our Father in Heaven to give his life for the cause of the gospel. I'm more than grateful for my loving Heavenly Father and for the family that he has givin me…you are my pride and joy and I want you all to know that I admire and love you more than you´ll ever know. Nana, Papa, Grams and all those other examples in my life. I love you all and hope you have a great week, work hard, study hard and pray hard and the Lord will bless you sufficiently.
1-4-3-4, Love,
Elder Mason Casper
Well its been another great week. We didn’t have much time in the sectors this week because we were doing a lot of stuff to get ready for an activity that we had yesterday. We still have 3 baptismal dates scheduled for Esteban and the two kids Matias and Genesis. I love this marvellous work and I am so grateful for the time I have left to serve. I talked to one of the Hermanas that went home 4 weeks ago and she looked at me and said, Elder Casper how lucky you are, you still have 11 months to share the restored gospel. It blew me away and helped me to understand how great of a blessing it really is to share the restored gospel with these wonderful people in Chile.
Elder Román and I are doing well and we had a good week and we are really excited for this week to come. I cannot believe that we are already in week 5 of this change… the time is going too fast. This week to come we have interviews with President Resek and i'm straight up stoked. The guy nourishes me spiritually every time I talk to him its incredible. But Dad to respond to your question, I feel that my Spanish is getting worse because Elder Roman knows how to speak quite a bit of English so I am trying to help him out and I fell that my Spanish is going down, but that’s all good...all I can do to help my companion.
We had an zone activity this morning and we played soccer and had a BBQ, it was fun and is always good to get out and play sports. I mean I would much rather play golf than soccer but lets be honest…is it possible? No its not!
Well I was pondering a lot on Wednesday about kirk getting home, i'll be honest it made me way trunky, but at the same time really sad. I can't imagine the day when people call me MASON in stead of ELDER CASPER, I will cry. I received the email from Lauren and felt the spirit so strong. I filmed a little today and then watched a little of the last family video that you sent me. Wow, should I even make an attempt so tell you how much I love you all? Well i'll try but it can't be said in words. I love you all so much. To see your faces in pictures and to hear your voices fills my soul with the spirit of love. What is blessing it is to have eachother.
Well Dad and Mom it sounds like all is well and that work is going well for you, I hope everything is continues to go good and I know it will.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING…I can't believe that this is the last thanksgiving I will spend in the mission, I don’t want to get too trunky but let's be honest, there is nothing like spending time with the good ole fam. I hope you have a great thanksgiving while i'm here in Chile eating the same thing every day…I cant imagine eating turkey, I would be in heaven.
Well things are great here, its hotter than the curling iron that burnt me when I was 1, and I sweat constantly. Its almost summer here and tomorrow I complete 14 months in the mission. The time continues to go by fast and it seems like just yesterday I walked into the MTC doors not having a clue what I was doing. Isnt it amazing what the mission does for people?
Dad just so that you guys know, yes Camila is staying for Christmas and will be staying in Utah for 3 weeks with a 1 week visit to California, but as you said just have Asher or Kirk call…in fact have Kirk call, I want to hear what he thinks about the way Chileans speak, they speak so fast and so bad. Well I hope they hear from you this week and I talked to the Mom this week and she is so grateful that we would offer our home to her daughter. She told me that any time we need a place to stay in Chile, her house will always be available.
The mission is growing and we are being so blessed. We had zone leader counsel this week and right now we are lower in numbers than where we were in September and October but this week in our zone we set 4 more baptismal dates and it all depends on our faith as missionaries and if we are willing to give all we have to the Lord and trust in Him. Just think of the confidence that Nephi had in the Lord. Why can't we show our faith like he did? He was also young. It's something i'm working on and I hope that someday I become a man of unwavering faith. I'm thankful for all the blessings I have, especially for my Savior Jesus Christ, for His atoning sacrifice and for the faith that I have in the atonement. I'm thankful for the restoration of the gospel, for the courage and love that Joseph Smith had for our Father in Heaven to give his life for the cause of the gospel. I'm more than grateful for my loving Heavenly Father and for the family that he has givin me…you are my pride and joy and I want you all to know that I admire and love you more than you´ll ever know. Nana, Papa, Grams and all those other examples in my life. I love you all and hope you have a great week, work hard, study hard and pray hard and the Lord will bless you sufficiently.
1-4-3-4, Love,
Elder Mason Casper
Hermana Casper 11/19/2007
HEY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!
HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING THIS WEEK? IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU…I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY IN THE WHOLE, WIDE WORLD! I LOVE YOU ALL SO DARN MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU! IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU´RE ALL DOING SO WELL AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. THAT´S HOW IT SHOULD BE!
AS FOR ME…i´m great! I am so happy here in Luque…I love the people, the atmosphere, and everything about it. I can´t say that i´m in love with the food, in fact, i´m a little bored with it! But…it´s all good! Atleast when I get home i´ll be turned off by fried foods! BUT ALL IS GREAT HERE…I´M LOVING LIFE!
It was a good week because we found lots of cool people and we had a great baptism. And we are going to have a baptism of 2 families together next week…it´ll be great! The Lord loves these people so much…he wants them to be happy and be able to arrive one day in the temple to be sealed eternally. Today we were talking about that in our zone meeting…it´s not at all about the numbers or the amount of people that we baptize…we are giving them the opportunity to live with the Lord as an eternal family. It really puts things into perspective for me…If i don´t do my part, someone could possibly not have the opportunity to hear of the gospel. WHAT WE DO IS SO IMPORTANT. I was so very touched by Mase´s story last week, and Scottie Pickering´s as well. They both brought me to tears. The spirit truly testified to me that they are both great missionaries and serving the Lord how they should be. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXAMPLES! WOW! It´s so amazing to see my little brothers growing up so much! (I say that in regards to mase and all of his friends!) And how crazy is it that Kirk is home?! Send them all my love!
I had to speak in church yesterday and it was one of those "No one came prepared to give a talk…can you?!" moments. Surprisingly, I was very grateful to be able to share my thoughts, testimony and feelings. I talked about the importance of the family. I felt as though the spirit was truly guiding me and helping me. The coolest part? Afterwards, a member of the bishopric told me, "Wow Hermana, you spoke your spanish perfectly. It was great!" WHAT A BLESSING! I´m grateful to know that in some way i´m still progressing and getting better at things. IT´S A NEVER ENDING PROCESS! ETERNAL PROGRESSION!
Well…please keep taking care of yourselves! I´M SO HAPPY THAT YOU´LL ALL BE GETTING TOGETHER FOR THANKSGIVING…GIVE EVERYONE BIG HUGS AND KISSES FOR ME! EVERYONE! I´m glad that Nana and Papa will also be getting home soon and tell them that I want to hear all about their experienes…I want to go to Israel someday, without a doubt. I WANT TO TRAVEL ALL OVER! But please let them and sarah and byron and the kids know that I love them. Have you thought anymore about whether or not you´ll be comino to get me? PRAY AND LET ME KNOW! Let my sweet gramms know that I love her…I´m so grateful for the sweet, loving person that she is and the example she is for me. I think of her lots. Let Meg know I love her too…and her family! My 2nd family!
BE SAFE, HAVE FUN AND KEEP DOING ALL YOU CAN FOR THE LORD. AND FULFILL AND MAGNIFY YOUR CALLINGS TO THE MAX! 100%!
1434 AND MORE THAN THE HUNDREDS OF BUGBITES THAT COVER MY LEGS!
Lars
P.S. Please call Jules, Brinn, Bergen and Kory today and let them know that I love them. I´VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THEM LOTS...PLEASE CALL THEM WITHOUT FAIL TODAY!
HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING THIS WEEK? IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU…I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY IN THE WHOLE, WIDE WORLD! I LOVE YOU ALL SO DARN MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU! IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU´RE ALL DOING SO WELL AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. THAT´S HOW IT SHOULD BE!
AS FOR ME…i´m great! I am so happy here in Luque…I love the people, the atmosphere, and everything about it. I can´t say that i´m in love with the food, in fact, i´m a little bored with it! But…it´s all good! Atleast when I get home i´ll be turned off by fried foods! BUT ALL IS GREAT HERE…I´M LOVING LIFE!
It was a good week because we found lots of cool people and we had a great baptism. And we are going to have a baptism of 2 families together next week…it´ll be great! The Lord loves these people so much…he wants them to be happy and be able to arrive one day in the temple to be sealed eternally. Today we were talking about that in our zone meeting…it´s not at all about the numbers or the amount of people that we baptize…we are giving them the opportunity to live with the Lord as an eternal family. It really puts things into perspective for me…If i don´t do my part, someone could possibly not have the opportunity to hear of the gospel. WHAT WE DO IS SO IMPORTANT. I was so very touched by Mase´s story last week, and Scottie Pickering´s as well. They both brought me to tears. The spirit truly testified to me that they are both great missionaries and serving the Lord how they should be. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXAMPLES! WOW! It´s so amazing to see my little brothers growing up so much! (I say that in regards to mase and all of his friends!) And how crazy is it that Kirk is home?! Send them all my love!
I had to speak in church yesterday and it was one of those "No one came prepared to give a talk…can you?!" moments. Surprisingly, I was very grateful to be able to share my thoughts, testimony and feelings. I talked about the importance of the family. I felt as though the spirit was truly guiding me and helping me. The coolest part? Afterwards, a member of the bishopric told me, "Wow Hermana, you spoke your spanish perfectly. It was great!" WHAT A BLESSING! I´m grateful to know that in some way i´m still progressing and getting better at things. IT´S A NEVER ENDING PROCESS! ETERNAL PROGRESSION!
Well…please keep taking care of yourselves! I´M SO HAPPY THAT YOU´LL ALL BE GETTING TOGETHER FOR THANKSGIVING…GIVE EVERYONE BIG HUGS AND KISSES FOR ME! EVERYONE! I´m glad that Nana and Papa will also be getting home soon and tell them that I want to hear all about their experienes…I want to go to Israel someday, without a doubt. I WANT TO TRAVEL ALL OVER! But please let them and sarah and byron and the kids know that I love them. Have you thought anymore about whether or not you´ll be comino to get me? PRAY AND LET ME KNOW! Let my sweet gramms know that I love her…I´m so grateful for the sweet, loving person that she is and the example she is for me. I think of her lots. Let Meg know I love her too…and her family! My 2nd family!
BE SAFE, HAVE FUN AND KEEP DOING ALL YOU CAN FOR THE LORD. AND FULFILL AND MAGNIFY YOUR CALLINGS TO THE MAX! 100%!
1434 AND MORE THAN THE HUNDREDS OF BUGBITES THAT COVER MY LEGS!
Lars
P.S. Please call Jules, Brinn, Bergen and Kory today and let them know that I love them. I´VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THEM LOTS...PLEASE CALL THEM WITHOUT FAIL TODAY!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hermana Casper 11/12/2007
HEY YOUGUYS!
HOW THE HECK ARE YA?! Well…life here in Paraguay rocks! I LOVE IT HERE SO MUCH! I am doing really well and the Lord, as always, is blessing us so much. IT´S INCREDIBLE! I have nothing to complain about…life is beautiful and the work is progressing, as well as the ward that we´re in. I´m so grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony each and every day. IT´S AN AMAZING, EDIFYING AND CHANGING EXPERIENCE. I LOVE THE MISSION WITH ALL OF MY HEART.
We are teaching a lot of really cool families right now…a family got baptized and married this week, and we will have 2 more families getting baptized on the 21st. The Lord wants all to be able to participate in the blessings of the restored gospel, and for that reason, we are blessed to be the instruments to help in finding them.
SO YEAH…ALL IS GREAT HERE! I LOVE MY CUTE, NEW COMP. She´s so ready and willing to learn, and has desires to be an incredible missionary. THAT MAKES ME MORE HAPPY THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. That´s one thing that i´ve learned…we must be humble to learn and try new things. HUMILITY IS SO DARN IMPORTANT!
I love to hear of all the progress that you are making. I KNOW that the Lord is blessing, protecting and watching over you guys. And He always will. He loves you so much! I must say that I have the greatest family in the whole wide world! I can´t even express the love that fills my heart when I think of you. NEVER FORGET IT!
Mommy and Daddy…wow, I am love with your idea. The greatest thing about it is that my great family from my first area should be preparing to go through the temple that very week, and we could all go through together. That´s my dream. But…if financially it´s not possible, don´t feel pressured at all. It would be incredible to also come when we go to pick up Mase from Chile. Pray about the 2 options and please let me know. I want you guys to live within your means and if you can only make one trip, then that´s just fine. It´s such a blessing that you can come, period.
MOM AND DAD…I NEED YOUR HELP. My comp still hasn´t heard even one time from her family and it makes me really sad. I think her parents aren´t very sure how to communicate with her. Anyhow, I was thinking that you could use skype to call her parents, with the help of Asher talking to them, and explaining how they can write her. Her phone number is…063-25254. You´re going to have to see how you can get through to Uruguay…she has no clue and neither do I. Her email address is hnamaryar12@myldsmail.com. Please try and get that taken care of this week. I want to help her if I can to be able to hear from them. Like I said, have Asher or someone that speaks Spanish come and help you guys.
Well…please know that I love you and i´m praying for you each and every day! YOU ARE MY HEROES! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I COULD EVERY BEGIN TO EXPRESS AND I´M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU! YOU GUYS ARE THE VERY BEST!
1434 and more…SEND MY LOVE TO ALL! More love is coming your way than all of the fish that swim in the ocean!
Sissy
THANKS FOR THE CAMERA! I CAN`T WAIT TO GET IT! AND ALSO…I GOT YOUR 2 POSTCARDS TODAY AND I LOVED THEM! ALSO...SEND MY LOVE TO THE DOXEY FAMILY! YEA FOR KIRK! TELL HIM HELLO FOR ME AND CONGRATS FOR SERVING SO FAITHFULLY THE LORD. SEND MY LOVE TO ALL!
P.S.S. PLEASE SEND ME PICS! I LOVE SEEING YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES! TELL MEG I LOVE HER AND I´M SORRY I CAN´T EMAIL HER!
HOW THE HECK ARE YA?! Well…life here in Paraguay rocks! I LOVE IT HERE SO MUCH! I am doing really well and the Lord, as always, is blessing us so much. IT´S INCREDIBLE! I have nothing to complain about…life is beautiful and the work is progressing, as well as the ward that we´re in. I´m so grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony each and every day. IT´S AN AMAZING, EDIFYING AND CHANGING EXPERIENCE. I LOVE THE MISSION WITH ALL OF MY HEART.
We are teaching a lot of really cool families right now…a family got baptized and married this week, and we will have 2 more families getting baptized on the 21st. The Lord wants all to be able to participate in the blessings of the restored gospel, and for that reason, we are blessed to be the instruments to help in finding them.
SO YEAH…ALL IS GREAT HERE! I LOVE MY CUTE, NEW COMP. She´s so ready and willing to learn, and has desires to be an incredible missionary. THAT MAKES ME MORE HAPPY THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. That´s one thing that i´ve learned…we must be humble to learn and try new things. HUMILITY IS SO DARN IMPORTANT!
I love to hear of all the progress that you are making. I KNOW that the Lord is blessing, protecting and watching over you guys. And He always will. He loves you so much! I must say that I have the greatest family in the whole wide world! I can´t even express the love that fills my heart when I think of you. NEVER FORGET IT!
Mommy and Daddy…wow, I am love with your idea. The greatest thing about it is that my great family from my first area should be preparing to go through the temple that very week, and we could all go through together. That´s my dream. But…if financially it´s not possible, don´t feel pressured at all. It would be incredible to also come when we go to pick up Mase from Chile. Pray about the 2 options and please let me know. I want you guys to live within your means and if you can only make one trip, then that´s just fine. It´s such a blessing that you can come, period.
MOM AND DAD…I NEED YOUR HELP. My comp still hasn´t heard even one time from her family and it makes me really sad. I think her parents aren´t very sure how to communicate with her. Anyhow, I was thinking that you could use skype to call her parents, with the help of Asher talking to them, and explaining how they can write her. Her phone number is…063-25254. You´re going to have to see how you can get through to Uruguay…she has no clue and neither do I. Her email address is hnamaryar12@myldsmail.com. Please try and get that taken care of this week. I want to help her if I can to be able to hear from them. Like I said, have Asher or someone that speaks Spanish come and help you guys.
Well…please know that I love you and i´m praying for you each and every day! YOU ARE MY HEROES! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I COULD EVERY BEGIN TO EXPRESS AND I´M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU! YOU GUYS ARE THE VERY BEST!
1434 and more…SEND MY LOVE TO ALL! More love is coming your way than all of the fish that swim in the ocean!
Sissy
THANKS FOR THE CAMERA! I CAN`T WAIT TO GET IT! AND ALSO…I GOT YOUR 2 POSTCARDS TODAY AND I LOVED THEM! ALSO...SEND MY LOVE TO THE DOXEY FAMILY! YEA FOR KIRK! TELL HIM HELLO FOR ME AND CONGRATS FOR SERVING SO FAITHFULLY THE LORD. SEND MY LOVE TO ALL!
P.S.S. PLEASE SEND ME PICS! I LOVE SEEING YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACES! TELL MEG I LOVE HER AND I´M SORRY I CAN´T EMAIL HER!
Elder Casper 11/12/2007
Mamá and Papá-
Hey whats crackin back home? Well it sounds like you are all doing well. Things are going great here, we had another good week and Elder Roman and I are being so blessed in our sectors. We are in Poeta Neruda and Edwards Bello. We share two wards so each Sunday we have to split up to be in the two wards. But as you know from last week we had 2 baptismal dates in Edwards Bello.
Well, we set another one this week with a young guy named Esteba. He is a stud and accepted a baptismal date in the second lesson that we had with him. He told us a great story. When we contacted him on Wednesday he was at a bus stop and we stopped and talked to him. Well it turns out that he is a guard for a bank in downtown Santiago and has a lot of time to sit around watching tv and reading. We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to read 3 Nephi 11. The next day we went to his house and he wasn’t there because he had to study, so we talked to his father and set up a time for Friday. When we arrived Friday he had just gotten home from work and told us to come in. We taught him part of the Plan of Salvation with the Restoration because his Mom passed away about 8 years ago...the spirit was way strong. We then invited him if he had asked God if the Book of Mormon was true…he said he hadn't, but did ask God that if it were true you two would come to my house to teach me. He then said that he knew it was true. Well, he needed a confirmation from the spirit so we left him a part in the Book of Mormon to read and invited him to ask god specifically if it was true. We went again to see him on Saturday and he accepted to be baptised the 9th of December. Then he told us that when we had contacted him at the bus stop the first day, he had recently left his house and before he left his house he said a prayer and told God in the prayer that he wanted to change his life, the only problem was is that he didn’t know how. He later told us that God answered his prayer by sending us to help him change his life. It was truly a great experience and it just goes to show how loving our Father in Heaven is...I love this work!
Elder Roman and I are doing good, the zone is good and we are progressing every week in the zone. Tomorrow we have zone leader counsel and it will be the second to last time that I see Elder Bealer.
I can't believe that Kirk gets home on Wednesday…are you stinkin kidding me? That’s so nuts, the time goes by so fast and we don’t even recognize where it goes. It sounds like sissy is doing well. Make sure to give Kirk a big hug for me and tell him I will be sending a letter soon. I got a letter from him last week and it was way good to hear from him and feel of the spirit as I read his letter.
Mom in the package I only need you to send Elder Roman a English hymn book. Also to send the shaving replacements for the fusion, I don’t have any more and razors here are so expensive.
Well send my love to all especially Nana & Papa, Grams and the rest of the crew…I love you all so very much. I don’t have much time so until next week keep up the great work…I love you and you all are in my very thought and prayer.
1434 and even more than all the people that smoke in chile…And it’s a lot.
Love,
Elder Mason Casper
Hey whats crackin back home? Well it sounds like you are all doing well. Things are going great here, we had another good week and Elder Roman and I are being so blessed in our sectors. We are in Poeta Neruda and Edwards Bello. We share two wards so each Sunday we have to split up to be in the two wards. But as you know from last week we had 2 baptismal dates in Edwards Bello.
Well, we set another one this week with a young guy named Esteba. He is a stud and accepted a baptismal date in the second lesson that we had with him. He told us a great story. When we contacted him on Wednesday he was at a bus stop and we stopped and talked to him. Well it turns out that he is a guard for a bank in downtown Santiago and has a lot of time to sit around watching tv and reading. We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to read 3 Nephi 11. The next day we went to his house and he wasn’t there because he had to study, so we talked to his father and set up a time for Friday. When we arrived Friday he had just gotten home from work and told us to come in. We taught him part of the Plan of Salvation with the Restoration because his Mom passed away about 8 years ago...the spirit was way strong. We then invited him if he had asked God if the Book of Mormon was true…he said he hadn't, but did ask God that if it were true you two would come to my house to teach me. He then said that he knew it was true. Well, he needed a confirmation from the spirit so we left him a part in the Book of Mormon to read and invited him to ask god specifically if it was true. We went again to see him on Saturday and he accepted to be baptised the 9th of December. Then he told us that when we had contacted him at the bus stop the first day, he had recently left his house and before he left his house he said a prayer and told God in the prayer that he wanted to change his life, the only problem was is that he didn’t know how. He later told us that God answered his prayer by sending us to help him change his life. It was truly a great experience and it just goes to show how loving our Father in Heaven is...I love this work!
Elder Roman and I are doing good, the zone is good and we are progressing every week in the zone. Tomorrow we have zone leader counsel and it will be the second to last time that I see Elder Bealer.
I can't believe that Kirk gets home on Wednesday…are you stinkin kidding me? That’s so nuts, the time goes by so fast and we don’t even recognize where it goes. It sounds like sissy is doing well. Make sure to give Kirk a big hug for me and tell him I will be sending a letter soon. I got a letter from him last week and it was way good to hear from him and feel of the spirit as I read his letter.
Mom in the package I only need you to send Elder Roman a English hymn book. Also to send the shaving replacements for the fusion, I don’t have any more and razors here are so expensive.
Well send my love to all especially Nana & Papa, Grams and the rest of the crew…I love you all so very much. I don’t have much time so until next week keep up the great work…I love you and you all are in my very thought and prayer.
1434 and even more than all the people that smoke in chile…And it’s a lot.
Love,
Elder Mason Casper
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Elder Casper 11/05/2007
Mamá and Papá-
Hey whats crackin this week? Well it sounds like you're way busy this week Dad, in Jamaica…no big deal that not cool or anything. Well it wasn’t surprising news to see that Sis is training. That’s AWESOME, it’s the best time of the mission and a time when a missionary grows so much spiritually as they put forth the effort and let their companion TEACH them.
I remember when Presidente Openshaw called me to train and he shared with me the story of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. It was impressive how John the Baptist humbled himself and allowed Christ to complete the will of the father. It was the same for me and for everyone else that is called to train in the mission. We have to humble ourselves and allow our new companions to increase spiritually and mold themselves into the missionaries that the Lord wants them to be. We have to teach them and let them teach us as well. What a great experience my Sissy will have over the next 3 months. My training time was the best time of my mission and the time where I learned the most. And I am so grateful for the experiences that I had.
Well just thinking about my sissy training has made me feel the spirit in knowing of the progression that she will gain over the next 3 months. Its really weird that she only has 5 months left…
Well we had a good week in the zone, we started out the week in our sector contacting a less active family on Monday night. We went to their house on Tuesday and began to teach them. Well the parents have been inactive for 3 years and the kids haven’t been baptised, so we taught the first lesson and invited them to be baptised…The great thing about it is that we invited to Father to prepare himself to baptise his two kids Matías and Génesis on the 18th of November. He accepted to do it so…we called bishop and scheduled an interview for Sunday morning, they had the interview and they set goals and if he completes with his goals he will be able to baptise his kids on the 18th. It was a true miracle and a blessing because they are so ready and willing to return to the church. Their desires are so strong.
We also had zone conference this week and it was great. President Resek set some new mission rules and cracked the whip on those that disobey. We can no longer listen to EFY music, only the hymns in the hymn book. It will be good for us to increase our spirituality. I went on divisions with Elder Adams this week and we had a great time. I love him to death and truly treasure the friendship that he and I have. Elder Roman and I are great, enjoying our time and I am learning a ton from him. I got letters from Mom, Kirk and Toad this week. Thanks so much for your heart felt letters and know that they mean more that you will ever know to me. Its nuts that Kirk goes home in like a week, I cant even explain my feelings, its just a really weird feeling to see that all my friends are starting to go home. And here soon my best friend in the world, LAUR will be home.
Well I love you all so much, more that you will ever comprehend, you all mean the world to me. I love this work and gospel, what a blessing it is in our lives. Keep working hard, praying hard and studying hard and the Lord will complete with his part.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Casper
Hey whats crackin this week? Well it sounds like you're way busy this week Dad, in Jamaica…no big deal that not cool or anything. Well it wasn’t surprising news to see that Sis is training. That’s AWESOME, it’s the best time of the mission and a time when a missionary grows so much spiritually as they put forth the effort and let their companion TEACH them.
I remember when Presidente Openshaw called me to train and he shared with me the story of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. It was impressive how John the Baptist humbled himself and allowed Christ to complete the will of the father. It was the same for me and for everyone else that is called to train in the mission. We have to humble ourselves and allow our new companions to increase spiritually and mold themselves into the missionaries that the Lord wants them to be. We have to teach them and let them teach us as well. What a great experience my Sissy will have over the next 3 months. My training time was the best time of my mission and the time where I learned the most. And I am so grateful for the experiences that I had.
Well just thinking about my sissy training has made me feel the spirit in knowing of the progression that she will gain over the next 3 months. Its really weird that she only has 5 months left…
Well we had a good week in the zone, we started out the week in our sector contacting a less active family on Monday night. We went to their house on Tuesday and began to teach them. Well the parents have been inactive for 3 years and the kids haven’t been baptised, so we taught the first lesson and invited them to be baptised…The great thing about it is that we invited to Father to prepare himself to baptise his two kids Matías and Génesis on the 18th of November. He accepted to do it so…we called bishop and scheduled an interview for Sunday morning, they had the interview and they set goals and if he completes with his goals he will be able to baptise his kids on the 18th. It was a true miracle and a blessing because they are so ready and willing to return to the church. Their desires are so strong.
We also had zone conference this week and it was great. President Resek set some new mission rules and cracked the whip on those that disobey. We can no longer listen to EFY music, only the hymns in the hymn book. It will be good for us to increase our spirituality. I went on divisions with Elder Adams this week and we had a great time. I love him to death and truly treasure the friendship that he and I have. Elder Roman and I are great, enjoying our time and I am learning a ton from him. I got letters from Mom, Kirk and Toad this week. Thanks so much for your heart felt letters and know that they mean more that you will ever know to me. Its nuts that Kirk goes home in like a week, I cant even explain my feelings, its just a really weird feeling to see that all my friends are starting to go home. And here soon my best friend in the world, LAUR will be home.
Well I love you all so much, more that you will ever comprehend, you all mean the world to me. I love this work and gospel, what a blessing it is in our lives. Keep working hard, praying hard and studying hard and the Lord will complete with his part.
1-4-3-4,
Elder Casper
Hermana Casper 11/5/2007
HEY YOU GUYS! WHAT A TIME I AM HAVING HERE IN PARAGUAY! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! AND I LOVE MY NEW AND BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER! She´s awesome…her name is Hermana Arredondo and she is from URUGUAY! I absolutely love the uruguayans! I think the Lord wants me to learn so much from them, and for that reason, I have had 3 uruguayan companions thus far in the mish. The Lord has blessed me so much this week and surprisingly, things are going smoothly. WHAT A BLESSING! We were promised this week by the assistants and the president that if we did our very best to teach these new missionaries by obediente and hard work, that the Lord would bless us in our areas. THE PROMISES ARE ALREADY BEING FULFILLED. A family that we´ve been working with, will now be getting baptized and married on Wednesday. The crazy thing is, last week, Eusevio, the dad, didn´t want to hear any more about the church, and even less wanted to get baptized. Our first day of work with my new comp, we received the good news that he had changad his mind and that the Lord had softened his heart. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I can. I Love the Lord so much. I know he Works diligently to bless us when we work diligently to serve Him. REALLY…ALL IS WELL IN THE WORK AND ALL WE CAN DO IS PRAY, FAST AND DO OUR PART TO FIND MORE OF HIS PRECIOUS CHILDREN.
Well…what else? Oh yeah…today we had an activity with all of the Hermanas and it was a BLAST! I love them so much. They are like my sisters. The cool thing is, we got to match the movie DREAMER. Oh my goodness…I loved it so much! It was the very first time I had seen it. It touched me a lot. That cute little girl had faith, and the miracles came. AND SOÑADOR WON THE RACE! (By the way, that means dreamer in Spanish! Holla!)
Well Daddy…you´re in Jamaica. HOW COOL IS THAT?! PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE VERY VERY SAFE. AND MOMMY…I LOVE YOU SO DARN MUCH! AND ASH AND LACE AND COLEY AND HARRIS AND GRAMMS AND MASE AND MEG AND KELL AND MUMFORD AND ALL OF MY AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY! I AM SO BLESSED! I pray for each of you daily. I know that the Lord is blessing you and will continue to do so as you follow Him in every step of your lives. I´M SO HAPPY. I´M SO BLESSED. AND I KNOW I´M RIGHT WHERE I´M SUPPOSED TO BE.
KEEP WORKING HARD AND DOING YOUR PART. AND PLEASE KEEP WRITING ME AND KEEP IN TOUCH ALWAYS. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AND KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON IN EVERYONE´S LIVES. Kirk Doxey is getting home soon, right?! How crazy is that?! I can´t even believe it…send the Doxey´s my love!
1434 and more than the sweat beads that cover me each and every day here in BLAZING HOT PARAGUAY!
Sissy
P.S. JUST LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE CAMERA AND ALL…AN ELDER HAD HIS MOM SEND HIM A CAMERA AND SHE DID SOMETHING VERY CLEVER. SHE PUT IT IN A BOX, BUT SENT A CAN OF PRINGLES…OPENED IT UP, TOOK OUT HALF OF THE PRINGLES, PUT THE CAMERA IN IT, AND THEN FILLED IT WITH PRINGLES AGAIN. THEN SHE SUPER GLUED THE PACKAGE SHUT AGAIN. IT GOT HERE SAFE AND SOUND! ALSO…PLEASE CHECK MY HOTMAIL ACCOUNT BECAUSE PEOPLE TEND TO WRITE ME. ALSO…PLEASE ADD THE HERMANA MUMFORD AND WHOEVER ELSE WANTS TO BE THERE, ON MY LIST. AND WHOEVER WRITES ME AS WELL SO THAT ALL CAN HEAR FROM ME. I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY OBEDIENT, AND IN DOING SO, I CAN´T WRITE ANYONE BUT THE FAM IN EMAILS. SORRY MEG, MUMFORD, AND OTHERS. I LOVE YOU LOTS! PLEASE KNOW IT!
Well…what else? Oh yeah…today we had an activity with all of the Hermanas and it was a BLAST! I love them so much. They are like my sisters. The cool thing is, we got to match the movie DREAMER. Oh my goodness…I loved it so much! It was the very first time I had seen it. It touched me a lot. That cute little girl had faith, and the miracles came. AND SOÑADOR WON THE RACE! (By the way, that means dreamer in Spanish! Holla!)
Well Daddy…you´re in Jamaica. HOW COOL IS THAT?! PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE VERY VERY SAFE. AND MOMMY…I LOVE YOU SO DARN MUCH! AND ASH AND LACE AND COLEY AND HARRIS AND GRAMMS AND MASE AND MEG AND KELL AND MUMFORD AND ALL OF MY AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY! I AM SO BLESSED! I pray for each of you daily. I know that the Lord is blessing you and will continue to do so as you follow Him in every step of your lives. I´M SO HAPPY. I´M SO BLESSED. AND I KNOW I´M RIGHT WHERE I´M SUPPOSED TO BE.
KEEP WORKING HARD AND DOING YOUR PART. AND PLEASE KEEP WRITING ME AND KEEP IN TOUCH ALWAYS. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AND KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON IN EVERYONE´S LIVES. Kirk Doxey is getting home soon, right?! How crazy is that?! I can´t even believe it…send the Doxey´s my love!
1434 and more than the sweat beads that cover me each and every day here in BLAZING HOT PARAGUAY!
Sissy
P.S. JUST LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE CAMERA AND ALL…AN ELDER HAD HIS MOM SEND HIM A CAMERA AND SHE DID SOMETHING VERY CLEVER. SHE PUT IT IN A BOX, BUT SENT A CAN OF PRINGLES…OPENED IT UP, TOOK OUT HALF OF THE PRINGLES, PUT THE CAMERA IN IT, AND THEN FILLED IT WITH PRINGLES AGAIN. THEN SHE SUPER GLUED THE PACKAGE SHUT AGAIN. IT GOT HERE SAFE AND SOUND! ALSO…PLEASE CHECK MY HOTMAIL ACCOUNT BECAUSE PEOPLE TEND TO WRITE ME. ALSO…PLEASE ADD THE HERMANA MUMFORD AND WHOEVER ELSE WANTS TO BE THERE, ON MY LIST. AND WHOEVER WRITES ME AS WELL SO THAT ALL CAN HEAR FROM ME. I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY OBEDIENT, AND IN DOING SO, I CAN´T WRITE ANYONE BUT THE FAM IN EMAILS. SORRY MEG, MUMFORD, AND OTHERS. I LOVE YOU LOTS! PLEASE KNOW IT!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
