Letter from a member in Washington

Hi there,


You don't know me but I know your son, Elder Casselman. He is currently serving in our ward and my husband is the Ward Mission Leader. Because of his calling we have the blessing of having the missionaries in our home on a fairly regular basis. Typically twice a week. I love having your son in our home and I can't say that for every missionary that graces my door.


I want you to know that I am TOTALLY impressed with Elder Casselman. I met him on his first day from the MTC at about 9:30pm. He was really tired and already had a good story to tell from his first day. His attitude was positive even though you could tell he wasn't really sure what was going to happen next.


Since then I've attended 2 baptisms where he has spoken and sat in on a lesson that he helped teach. His testimony is amazing. When he speaks the spirit is so strong. On Saturday during his talk my 4 year old daughter started to cry softly. I asked her if she was okay and she told me she was really happy. I know it was the spirit in the room while your song shared his testimony of the restoration of the church. It was beautiful.


I just wanted to let you know I think you've done a good job raising a rock of an Elder. Take care,


Dedra Cheney

February 22, 2011

Hello Family,

So, because yesterday was a holiday, the library was closed. I thought we wouldn't have a chance to come back later this week. So, when you read my letters, which I need to mail, you might be confused. I am e-mailing this week and you will recieve a letter. Yay! This one will be brief though, since all I wanted to say is in the other letter.

Mother and Father:

Elder Kanno has opened up. We have a lot in common and have a lot of great conversations. I heard about Yogi. How big are the anti-biotics? It sounds like he hates them. I got your package today, but I haven't had time to open it. The mission field is SO busy.

I got the watch. It's awesome and it is so nice to be able to know what time it is! I didn't get my license in the field yet. There is the agreement thing I have to fill out and I totally spaced it. So, I won't be driving until most likely next transfer. Which I don't mind. I love the pillow. Lying down to sleep is my favorite time of the day, lol.

Kalie and Kevin:

Holy cow! Isaac (Clark) is growing up so fast. There are so many different types of foods he is eating. It's a good thing he is eating them though. It could be much worse. He could be picky like I was. I call Isaac 'Isaac Clark' because the hero from a video game has that name. And Isaac Cole is SO close, I can't resist.

Brock:

Awaiting your response to the game...I've ran into some strange Anti-Mormon stuff. One man claimed he heard continuity between members and our doctrine. When we asked what he had heard so we could clear it up, he went all Anti on us. Saying how we believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers, and aliens from another planet, and that the only way to get to heaven is marrying multiple wives. And the only way they can get in is if we choose them...lol. Yeah, he didn't hear that from a member. Elder Cook and I had a good laugh about that guy. Some people are such jerks. Honestly. Most people in Lacey are actually pretty nice. They turn us down gently. But som other people are just so mean. Oh, well. There is no point in complaining about it. It's great here, but part of my still can't believe it's only been a week, and I still have 95 to go. Oh well. I'll just work as hard as possible and when it's over, I'll be on the other end of the spectrum.

Alyssa:

Good luck in the competition. I know you will do well. Just practice as much as you can. And stick to it, piano, that is. Because you never know what you will regret when you grow up. I regret quitting piano and band. It was who I was and once that went away, I felt incomplete. And, believe me, you will be greatful that you stuck with it. When someone plays a really cool song, you will be able to sit down and play an even cooler song. I wish I was able to do that, but...no. I can't.

Well, the letters will hopefully be shipped today, but they will come this week. I am just so busy, I don't have time for freakin' anything. Well, loves and handshakes to you all.

Elder Courtney Casselman

First Letter from Washington

Hello everyone. Today is my second day in Tacoma. I don't have time to write a letter...I haven't even had time to unpack or write in my journal! XD Anyways, my first area is a nice little town called Lacey. My trainers, the zone leaders, are Elder Cook and Elder Berger (no joke), and we have a fourth companion, Elder Kanno. The area is super cool but really stressful. The first day was SUPER overwhelming. Elder Berger is super crazy, but a fantastic teacher. Elder Cook is quiet but profound. I have not taught with him yet. And Elder Kanno...well, I don't know him well. He never really talks. We've already gone tracting. We met a guy name Richard who was willing to take a church tour today. I'll see how that goes. We also taught Trae, a black football player. He's super hard to teach because he doesn't pay attention. Oh, well...he "digs" the gospel. The apartment is an absolute mess, and mine and Kanno's bathroom is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. We are going to clean it on Thursday and Monday. Well, that's all:

Mom:

It was great to talk to you! I'm so happy you are doing so well. How is the dog doing? Cute as ever? Have you been teaching piano lately? Thanks for the bedding. It made for a much better sleep than the MTC could provide!

Dad:

It was also great to talk to you. The fact that your business is doing so well shows how the Lord blesses us. He puts us through trials to test our faith. If we are faithful, the Lord blesses us with more blessings then we could dream of.

Kalie and Kevin:

How are you doing? How is little Isaac (Clark)? I am so sad he enjoys squash...oh well. To each his own. And, I hope you know, I was grateful for the cookies!

Brock:

I believe the quote is from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Right? It isn't in the movie...I know that. So, ground rules. This is the movie quote game. So, only movie quotes are allowed. No book quotes. It's not fair. You've read more and comprehend more than I do! XD Here's this week's quote: " You're not a real elf! You're an elfish impersonator! YOU SICKEN ME!!!"

Alyssa:

His name is Tony...right? Okay. Are you two still together? How is school? I loved getting your letter. When is your competition. I can't wait to hear how you did.

Sarah:

I have not received your letters yet, but when they do, I will write you! By the way...Did you get my letter asking you to send a picture of you? If you can't send it, that's all right, but...It would be great to see your face everyday.

Well, that's all I have time for. Be good. I'm doing good. My first day was intensely stressful, but I'm fine now. It's nothing that hours of earnest prayers can't fix!

Loves and Handshakes to you all...

Elder Courtney Casselman

Last MTC letter

Dear Mother and Father,

This has been an interesting and stressful week. But still good, so don't stress. Elder Harmer and I have become such great friends. We talk and argue all the time, which is nice, rather than being quiet all the time. He bore his testimony on Sunday and said something hilarious:

"I got to the MTC and was nervous. I was wondering what my companion was going to be like. And then walked in Elder Casselman. And I thought "Great". (not in a good way) but then I got to know him and he is now one of my best friends."

Oh, and by the way, the watch Elder Last gave to me broke. What is up with that? I have managed to break two watches in two weeks. So, you know, maybe a new one will be nice!

Elder Harmer's broken arm has been a pain. He wants his cast off so badly that he went to the clinic to see if he could get it off. We are now, and this is not a joke, in the hospital. The MTC clinic doctor said that there might be something wrong.

There's been a lot of contention in the district which is such a shame. They constantly find fault with each other, and don't focus. It's hard, because I try so hard to be patient with others, but the others don't. Especially Elder King. He's rude to people and is incredibly intolerant. I've been calm until last night, when Elder Petersen and Elder Dobbins almost got in a fight...in front of the new district. I snapped.

I've been getting better at teaching, which is awesome, but I still am having problems. TRC's (teaching resource center) are weird. Some are hard to teach, while others teach us. We had to teach a baptist. That was hard.

Funny thing, though. I have not received a letter from Sarah, but her grandmother sent me a package. No joke. It's hard though, not hearing from her. Does she have my address? Did she get my letter? I hope so. Have Alyssa ask her when she sees her.

Well, since I am talking about girls, you know how they have "missionary goggles"? Well, it's a lie. The goggles make you not see girls, but as I have been in the MTC, the girls have gotten hotter. No joke. My standards have been, sadly, dropping day by day. The sister missionaries get progressively better looking. Girls I wouldn't take a second look at, I now drool over.

Oh, and by the way. Please when you send me food - if you send me food - don't send a whole ton of cookies and candies. Seriously, I am watching what I eat. So, if you send cookies, send two or four. NOT SIXTEEN! All of us have cookies and we can't eat them all! Oh, and send the packages to Tacoma now. I am leaving the MTC on Monday and won't get anything you send, including letters.

Has a game informer arrived? I ask because in Sarah's grandmother's package, there was newspapers to keep the stuff safe. On one of the pages, there was a review for a game I wanted to play. I started to go through withdrawals. What I would do to play a video game. Ha, ha. I sound like the guy from "Ghost". "Oh, what I would do for ONE cigarette." Ha, ha. But the thing I miss most, besides you folks,hmmm, is music. Yeah, we can't listen to music in the MTC. It blows!

How's it at home? How's the new oven? Did you get a new oven? How's the dog? Oh, he is so cute. I had a dream I was at home, in my bed, and he came running in, jumped on my bed and I woke up!

Love and handshakes to you.

Love,

Elder Courtney James Casselman

p.s. My flight is at 8:20 on Monday. So, I will be calling home at 6:00-7:00. Please be home.

p.s.s. How's my girlfriend? Did she get back safely from Prime Systems? (his computer)

p.p.s. I'm doing science and I'm still alive.

Conversation at the Airport

Today Court is flying out to Tacoma. The missionaries that were leaving had to get up at 4:00 a.m. this morning to be ready to leave at 5:00.

However, they didn't leave until 6:00.

Court called about 7:20 this morning once they had checked their luggage and had everything ready to go.

He had asked Sarah to come to our house so he could talk to her. Apparently he hadn't received any of her letters and was feeling a little sad. I emailed her and told her he hadn't gotten any letters and she told me that she had put the wrong address on them. That was a relief for Court to hear.

I let Court and Sarah talk for awhile and then she had to go to school. It was so nice of her to come.

Boyd and I spoke with Court for another 30 minutes. It was so good to hear his voice. He sounded very tired, which he should be after waking up at 4:00.

He told us about the food at the MTC, the elders in his district and the new teaching program that his district was doing. He saw all the people in our ward who left for missions when he did or shortly after. He enjoyed his MTC experienc.

He also sounded ready to go to work. He is looking forward to meeting his mission president, having a good meal and meeting his trainer.

After speaking for 40 minutes he was ready to get off the phone. I guess that there is a tie store in the airport that is owned by a mormon who will sell ties to the elders for a few dollars. Court was anxious to go and get a tie or two before he left Utah.

It was great to talk to Court and know that he is doing good and ready to work.

p.s. I found two pieces of Court's dairy hoodie outside on the lawn this morning. Apparently they had fallen off when Court took the hoodie to the garbage. The dog was sniffing them and then backing away which made me go out and see what he was sniffing at and there they were!

Dear Mother and Father

Dear Mother and Father,

The MTC has been an incredible experience. Our district is piloting a new teaching program that focuses on the missionaries teaching more. We have been teaching our teachers, who have been taking on roles as investigators. There are also classes called TRC's where volunteers or even investigators have us teach them for an hour or so. We spend much less time in the classroom being taught, and more time learning and experiencing teaching.

I have learned so much from these lessons; how to get to know new people, teach lessons to their specific needs, listen to the Spirit for inspiration, and what not to say to piss off an investigator. Elder Harmer and I are getting really good at switching off or covering for another person if one of us is having difficulties.

The first four days were so difficult. Wednesday and Thursday were learning all about learning the ropes and where things are in the MTC. The new teaching program was incredibly difficult at first, and one of the teachers was really hard to teach. But every time I teach, I learn something new. It really is the best way to teach us how a mission will work. They could shove facts after facts about what missionary life is like and how to teach, but we could never know exactly what it's like until we experience it.

Those four days went by so slowly, I thought I would never get off a mission. But now, a whole week has passed and we're already well into another one. The food ranges from terrible to good...it's not great. But yes, I have been eating my vegetables. I get a salad for lunch and dinner, and if they don't make me gag, the veggies they give in the Combo meals. The chocolate milk isn't famous, it's actually Meadow Gold Viva chocolate milk, but is still good.

Gym class is the worst! And it's not because I hate gym, lol. Elder Harmer broke his arm before coming to the MTC (more on that later) and so he literally can't do anything. No sports and no running. It hurts his arm. So, it wasn't until yesterday that I left him with another companion and ran 3 miles. It felt so good, and I beat my record. I ran a six minute mile...woot!

The guys in my district are so amazing. Elder's Last and Dobbins are the jock, goofy type. You know, the ones who would have made fun of me in High School, lol. But they are great guys, and we are best of friends. I even broke my watch and Elder Last gave me his. Elders King and White couldn't be more different. Elder White is very quiet and patient, while Elder King is loud, cocky and a total jock. It's amazing what has changed in their attitudes since becoming companions.

Elder Peterson and White are our zone leaders and are really cool guys. Petersen can get a little annoying, but I look past that and look for the good in him. Elder Harmer is a really great guy, and although we are totally different, we still, somehow, have conversations. He broke his arm skiing, and that is hard. Not only on him; well, mostly on him, but on me, too. It slows everything down, we're always late, and I have to do a lot of things for him. But hey, it's easy to serve him, and I have learned to have a lot of patience.

His face is half fake, after getting kneed in the face in a soccer match. His left side of his face, the bones, was shattered, and all of the bones were replaced. It looks fantastic and he isn't blind in his left eye. It's amazing he can still see. Oh, did I mention that Elder White (Elder Peterson's companion) doesn't have a belly button. Seriously!

I got sick on Monday, and still am, but amazingly, I felt fantastic. The nurse, because when you're sick, you have to go to the clinic, had me gargle salt water. For sore throats, it's the best thing ever!

My towel is terrible. There are these gross little threads, that when wet, get everywhere and look like gross little hairs.

My razor needed a new blade, but of course, I didn't know this and got the WORST razor burn. My neck was red all the way down with little zits everywhere. I changed the blade.

To finish off, I know that I am supposed to be here. I have had one of the most stressful weeks of my life, but, like Alma the Younger, my joy outweighs my sorrows. I love it here. I love my companion, and my district. And I love the Savior. He is my salvation from sorrow and sin, and I believe, that with his help, I can do all things. I love you and your support in this exodus, and before I or you know it, will be back at home.

Love,

Elder Courtney James Casselman

p.s. Sorry about the stove. Can't wait to see the new one!

p.p.s. Don't worry about getting me a new watch.

p.p.p.s. The "DearElder" emails mail is nice, but a hand written letter would be greatly appreciated once in a while.

p.p.s.s. And believe me, I am still alive.

Letter #2

So, bad news, and badder news. The bad news is, I can't take the pictures from my camera and put them on the computer. They've installed some irritating program and I can't access My Computer. So, I will get you my MTC pictures in my first area. And the badder news, I would prefer if family members and friends did not email me. It takes too much time to read and I only have 30 minutes. A hand written letter or that "DearElder" is much easier to deal with right now. And now, onto the email. It will be brief, but the letters will tell a lot more. Could you send this to Kyle, Kerby and Sarah?

Mom:

Hey, so, I'm not going to write much. Like I said, I don't have a lot of time. So, I mailed a very lengthy letter to you. So, the MTC is great, my district is great, and my companion is great. The food itself is average, but I really miss your cooking, lol. I can't believe the stove caught on fire. Wow. It's just like Brock when he was on his mission. I'm glad that you're getting a new machine to match, it'll look much better in there.

Dad:

Thank you for your inspiration for me to go on a mission. I am sorry if I had ever been rude to you, or seemed to be. I really miss you and love you. I hope that your seminars have been going well.

Kalie and Kevin:

Don't worry, I got the 'DearElder' letter. I really miss you. And that's too bad that little Isaac likes squash. And now he is drinking out of glasses. I've been gone for one week and he's already growing fast, lol.

Brock:

Thanks for all the help that you gave me while I was preparing to go on a mission. All that help means so much. How's this semester? Ooh, I heard about your date...how did it go? That's so awesome, and heck maybe she's the one. :) Did you play some more Okami? You're going to have to tell me how the game is after you beat it.

Alyssa:

Be good, listen to mom. She knows what she is talking about. I know...CRAZY!!! How's school? Your relation with...what was his name? Ah, who cares...lol. (Tony, right?) Is this semester better? How about math?

Well, that's all the time I have. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Sorry, I hope you guys get my letters. I didn't send one to Kyle and Kerby...but I will. Thanks for all of your support! I love you all and the last thing is: the Lord loves us, and he wants us to come to him and proclaim his gospel. I love Him, and I am so grateful for the Atonement, and am amazed that not only did he suffer for my sins, but the sins of everyone in this world.
Love,

Elder Courtney James Casselman

1st Letter

January 27, 2011

Dear Mother and Father,

Let me first thank you for your support and help for packing. I really couldn't have made it here without it. I'm doing great, it's weird but I'll get used to it.

My companion is Elder Harmer. He's quiet, which is a little hard but he's a nice guy. His face, at least half of it, is fake. He got kneed in the face. Weirder, a guy in my district doesn't have a belly-button.

I haven't felt homesick. I haven't had time to. It's very structured and ordered. No music is allowed, and classes are up to four hours at a time. I'm fine, perfect, and will send you the pics in my first email.

I also would like to bear witness, that Jesus is the Christ, and that through Him, we can be saved. I can't wait to teach this to others and invite them to come unto Him.

Love,

Elder Casselman

Packing and Leaving

The day before Court left on his mission he had several tasks he wanted to do.

First of all, Brock took the entire day off of school and drove up here to spend the day with Court.

The first thing they did was drive up to the Ogden Temple and do an endowment session.

Then they went to lunch.

Then they came home and began packing up Court's "shrine".

His shrine was 3 1/2 shelves full of his cars, lego sets, drawings, books and dance flowers.

It was a paradise for little nieces and nephews to walk into and see all of his great STUFF.

It literally took ALL DAY to pack up his room, not including his clothes.

Now, it is packed away carefully into boxes and deposited into our storage unit.

One of the last things that Court felt the need to do was to burn his hoodie that he wore when working in the dairy at Bowman's.

He pulled out our fire pit and tried to light the hoodie on fire.

Nothing.

Then Brock got the brilliant idea to douse it in gasoline.

It started on fire. Really well. The flames were impressive.

The fire didn't consume the hoodie, it just sort of melted it so Court threw snow on the flames and threw it in the garbage.

It created the most unpleasant smell in our neighborhood.


While the boys were packing up the bedroom, I decided to label all of Court's possessions with a fabric marker.

That took me almost the entire day.

Who knew that labeling clothing could take so long.

And really, is all of this stuff going to fit into two suitcases?

Court discovered that he had 30, yes 30, ties. He went through all of them, picked out his favorites and left them home. He selected several that had become castoffs and gave them to the DI. Then he picked quite a few and decided to take those with him on his mission.


Finally the boys finished the bedroom and we ate our "last supper" of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls and veggies.

It was really good.

Then Brock did the dishes and packed all of Court's stuff into his suitcases.

Yes, all of that stuff did fit.

The stake president had set an appointment to come to our home and set Court apart to be a missionary at 9:30 Tuesday night.

I was a bundle of nerves as we waited for the stake president and our bishop to come.

President Johnson asked Boyd and I to say something to Court which we did and then he set him apart.

It was such a nice blessing, just what Court needed.

Brock stayed until after the setting apart. Having him come and spend the entire day with Court was a sacrifice for him but I thought it was one of the most unselfish things he had ever done.


Wednesday morning our plan was to leave at 11:00.

Before he left, Kalie came to our home and brought him his ties all wrapped up and a Tide with Bleach pen.

Then she proceeded to make dinner for us to eat when we got home. She made Green Chili Quiche and Blueberry muffins.

Her thoughtfulness touched my heart.

Finally it was time to go. Alyssa had gone to school for a couple of class periods and wanted us to pick her up, which we did.

Then we set off to Provo.

The drive through Utah County was scary. They are doing construction right now and before I knew it, I was driving through a luge and praying that I would make it through safely.

Amazingly enough, we took the exit toward the BYU campus still in one piece.

Across the street from the MTC there is a parking lot where you can go, park your car and take pictures. We took several pictures there with the MTC in the background.

Does Court look ready to go or what?


I wanted to take a picture of Court and Alyssa together. She ran right up to him and threw her arms around him.

It was so sweet. It made me cry.


Here's Boyd and I with Court, and yes, I have been crying.


We jumped back into the car and drove into the MTC driveway.

The driveway curves all around the front and side of the MTC and has numbered areas from 1 to 25 where you are directed by someone from the MTC to pull your car into one of the designated numbers.

We got number 14.

At each number there were 8 - 12 missionaries there ready to greet you and your missionary.

As soon as we stopped, one missionary opened Boyd's door, one opened Court's door and another was asking where his luggage was.

He was so excited to be there! He couldn't wait to get going.


There was no dilly-dallying at all. We got the luggage out and were able to give Court one last hug and then the missionaries hustled Court right up the sidewalk to the doors of the MTC, and that was that.


He went one way and we got in the car and went the other way...straight to Zupa's for lunch.

After all, we needed nourishment to sustain us through the rest of the day.

Now our house is a lot quieter.

I have to be more cognizant of the dog because if I wasn't home to take care of him, Court usually was.

And mealtimes are a lot smaller. I am having to rethink the amount of food I cook.

But I wouldn't trade this time for anything. This is what is right and good and best at this time.

The Farewell

Court gave his missionary talk on January 23 at our church.

There were two missionaries speaking that day, Court and Landon Horne. It was an exciting day for our ward. There were so many people there that they had to set up extra chairs in the gym.

Court spoke first. He got up and was so relaxed and comfortable. He truly has a gift of speaking in front of people.

His talk was funny and inspiring. I was pleased with what he said.

One of the funniest things was that Court and Landon had on the exact same suit, bought at the same store.

After the meeting we had a luncheon in the banquet area of Granny Annie's.

I looked long and hard for a place to have a luncheon. There are not very many places available on a Sunday. And since it was January, we couldn't really have a picnic outside.

The people at Granny Annie's were so kind to let us use their facility.

Court wanted sandwiches for his meal. I ordered kaiser buns from WalMart (the best buns ever!) and bought tons of lunchmeat. We had every kind of meat that you could ever want.

The other guests brought salads, baked beans, chips and dessert. It was a fantastic lunch.

Kalie ordered some cupcakes for dessert that spelled out Tacoma Washington. They looked great, but tasted even better.


Kalie also got a couple of ties and some fabric markers and had people write notes to Court on the back of the ties.

He had some great words of advice written on them.


Court's cute friend, Sarah, came to the meeting and then to the luncheon.

She is adorable.


This is a picture of Court's closest and bestest friends.

They have stood by him through thick and thin.


This picture is an overview of the room. We had plenty of tables and chairs. It was so nice to not have to try to fit all of those people in our house.


The most amazing thing was when we went to pay the man who opened the room for us.

He told us that Annie loves missionaries and that she wanted to donate part of the rental fee back to Court for his mission.

The room was $150 and he charged us $50 with the stipulation that we give Court the other $100.

I did. I bought him a new bike helmet and accessories with it.

Thank you Annie for your kindness and generosity. You made our day so much better.

The Call

Back in October, on my birthday, Court received his mission call.

It was such an exciting day for us.

Court invited a few people over to witness the opening of his call.


He knew exactly what he was going to use to open his call.

My brand-new cutco knife!


We all waited in nervous anticipation for him to read his destination...

...you are called to serve in Tacoma Washington!

Up there with the vampires in Forks!


He had 3 months to prepare to go.

The first two months sort of dragged by and the last month flew so fast and now he is gone.

It is so great being parents of a missionary.