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| Kaysen with a New Member to the District |
1. Photos of New Year's Eve
2. Cambios (Transfers) or Not
3. A Short Story
4. A Normal Life or an Extraordinary Life
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| This is how I do Laundry, it is called chacka chacka. |
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| We sent paper lanterns into the sky on New Year's Eve. It was cool! |
3. So we tried to contact some people we found in our area during an activity. We found all but one and they didn't really want to hear more. So we were looking for the last one. We went to a house that we thought would be good and we thought it was his house. When we walked up and asked if there was an Arturo living there they answered no and asked what we wanted to talk about. We told them we are missionaries and we wanted to teach him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One guy asked us why there are a lot of churches. Elder Squire tried to answer him but he just cut him off and started talking about how he knows that we are saved through faith and works don't matter. He would ask us a question and them not let us talk and we were very respectful for about 30 minutes then we said we have to go. He said something like "What? Leaving so early? I guess you are not true because you have not answered any of my questions. I guess you don't have the answers. You are a bunch of idiots for believing in your church." We turned around once more and tried to help him learn. This time we were a little more forceful, still very nice and kind but we made sure we got the truth across. In the end, he and Elder Squire were almost in a yelling match. He kept only sharing one weird scripture that was way out of context from the Bible. We showed him in his Bible that it was out of context. He kept quoting it and kept just being very rude. I got the urge to leave immediately and so I asked in a normal tone and not raising my voice, "Please, one minute." Everything kinda stopped. "We have to go now but I'd like to leave you with my testimony of Jesus Christ." I proceeded to leave him with my testimony and we left as soon as I said amen. He tried to stop me from talking but I just kept going and when we left I thanked him for his opinions and for his time. After we left I just felt a surge of anger flow over me. I know that the spirit blocked that out in the moment I was there because afterward, I wanted to go back and yell at him, but we couldn't. I wanted so much to throw down! Yet, in the moment of me speaking all I could think of is we were only making him mad and he is my brother and I don't want him mad at me. I know those were not my thoughts because I didn't like what he was saying and wanted only to show him what is right, yet, that's what I did. I am glad I did that and not what I wanted to do afterward. I think he might have learned more if I did what I wanted to! Harsh words, yet, know that I say them in jest :)
4. Normal life is not normal. I am a missionary and so normal life right now is extra ordinary. I get to live a life of service and teaching. It goes beyond me and my efforts. It is back to what it should be. The holidays were very nice and fun and relaxing, but it's a step back into the life I left in Idaho! I am glad it happened and I wouldn't change anything but I am very glad to be working hard again.
I love and miss you all. Sorry for the weird timings on e-mails and short e-mails. Times have been scarce and it has been kinda hard to write. I hope this reaches you in high hopes and a good start to a new year. - Elder Cazier
To Dad,
Dad, you have raised me well, for on the 31st I had already written out what I wanted to do for the next year in two places, on a piece of paper and in my journal. I have read the paper and will continue to read it every morning and night. I have a creed. I have found that reading a creed for people like me and with likemindedness helps me feel like I am more than just me and that I have more strength than I really do. It forces me to strive for perfection and grow constantly. I have found much joy in it and in preparing and thinking of how to improve it! It is something I try to do every day yet I price my journal above it so If I have time in my day after that I sit down and write a new one or put down ideas for the next one. It aids me in remembering what I prize more than anything!
I worry about mom. I have worked in the medical field before and I know she is strong but I fear we are putting too much upon her shoulders! I worry that her health will fail her and that she will grow weak under the strain. I am keeping her in my prayers. I fear that she overworks herself. I know how hard that type of work is and how hard school is. And on top of that, she has a family and is taking care of Hank! Keep an eye on her and try to make sure she gets plenty of sleep and food. College kids have a hard time keeping up with just work and school and they are in prime condition. Keep a watch on her and make sure she doesn't work herself to death. We both know her and we both know she will do that. It is in her nature! Just take care of her as best as you can for I want a mother to come home to and not one that has been destroyed in the years that I have been away. I am not sure I could live with myself if that happened! It would break my heart!
I have always had the same problems but I am finding that every problem I see and try to fix the Lord just makes it disappear. I have found that as I write out what I need to do, what I want to do, and what I would do if I could do anything right now, I accomplish all of it! I also know and promise you (this is a promise from a servant of the Lord) that as you keep detailed records of your day and everything you do in your day and your feelings throughout the day, you will receive insight from God into your life. I leave you with a final promise, as you look and record where you saw God, you will be blessed with more than you can write! I promise that!
You know I thought back to before Hank's dog bite, and you know what, we were all very different. I don't really remember anything from before that but I know the world was a very different place and it has changed! I feel empathy for you and for mom. Your lives have been so much harder than anything I see around me. I'll share a short story. When I was just starting to understand Spanish a man tried to say his life was so much harder than another life on Earth! I pulled the life of Christ and Job and others from the scriptures, yet, he said his life was harder than all! His life was hard because his brother is very sick and he has to work to pay the bills. Yet he lives in a house a lot bigger than ours and he has a brand new BMW and he is living a life that he can afford, yet, life is hard. I shared our family's experience and more than that I shared your experience. Out of everything he shut up and actually listened! He then looked at me and said "Sorry" and then drove away. We live a life that others can't even comprehend! Yes, that man was born in the streets and yet he made something out of his life. We may have had a better start but our outcome is harder than what he could imagine. I'm not saying our life is harder than Job's or Christ's, but I am saying that we live differently than the rest and the fact that we do all we do is insane! I offer all I can give to aid you and my family. I may be away but I can help. Tell me what you need and I will figure something out or I will turn to the Lord. I know that as I serve Him He blesses me! I know that as I ask for exact blessings for others, they come true. I have seen it work in my life and have had it happen in the lives of my investigators. It will happen for you as well!
I have really learned what works for me and what doesn't and that's what growing really is. It's learning to express the exactness of your talents and making them grow. I have applied all I have learned from you and from school and from books I have read over the years, yet, I find more growth from the scriptures and from my journal. In journals don't sugarcoat anything, leave it as it is, record facts and goals and spiritual experiences in your life. Go by month, for each month needs goals and a main theme for improvement. Then it is each week, and then each day and it all builds into a year and years build into a life and our life builds into an eternity. There is no other way to say that this one book of records we keep is the way and foundation into making the most of our lives! It is the only way I have found that I see improvement and the only way I see how God had laid the bricks in my path of life. For He has laid out a plan for me and you and the only way to see the path behind you and the path ahead is by recording the turns you make and the details of what surrounds you! I tell you what has worked for me and I believe that it will work for you.
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