Hello family! How is it going? Having a good time without me I see. That is cool you guys got to hang out with the fam. Tell them I said hi. Well, to answer some of your questions: We are teaching a hispanic guy. He is super cool. He has been taught for about a year and a half now. He has read a lot out of the book of mormon and has come to church a TON. The only thing holding him back from being baptized, is smoking. He is a smoker. A fumador in spanish. We have been trying to help him quit. We did a 15 step program, and he never caught on to that. We have been seeing him about everyday. We have been reading out of the book of mormon with him everyday now. He has the faith, and he wants to quit. But he hasnt shown forth the works. So we will be working on that with him.

Right now in oregon, it is nice, but smoky. There are a lot of fires going on around here. I guess devin is in oregon fighting them. And we get fed a lot. One of the members who fed us (he is less-active) took us to a lounge and bar. that was weird, but the food was good and he is a good guy. And our apartment is way better than the one in Quincy. I like it. BTW, we will get transfer calls in 2 weeks.

Thanks for that experience dad. That is kinda what is going on now. Last week we havent found anyone to teach. It was kinda rough to try and find people. But it was a test of faith! We are going to press forward even harder and find those who are prepared! We got to go to the temple this week. It was awesome. i love the temple so much! I invite you guys to go to the temple a lot each week! It is so important!

I love you guys! I am striving to be obedient and eliminate distractions. That is what me and Elder Womack are trying to do. We want the spirit at full-force!

We also had a zone conference this week about charity and member missionary work. A lot of missionaries have bad attitudes towards members who "dont help out in the work". So we got trained on how to have charity for the members, and to help them get on fire with the spirit of missionary work. Remember, Every member a missionary! No excuses!

I love you guys, take it easy, have a good day! The Church is true!

Love Elder Caskey

HI parents, how is it going? Good, good! Everything is on fire here in Umatilla! This past weekend has been so cool! We met some really cool people! On sunday we met this one lady and she said that she has always wanted to come to our church. She noticed how we are all so happy (Most of us). That was so cool. She also said that the people call her The Enchilada Lady. And she said she was gonna feed us. So we are super excited for her. The Lord is blessing us so much! It is amazing to see that when we talk with everyone, the Lord has at least One person prepared. That is something I have been struggling with. Fear of talking to people. It is a lot easier now, then ever! I have seen my faith increase so much! We are not teaching a ton of lessons but it is improving. We talk to a lot of hispanics here too. I am still working on my spanish. It is hard sometimes, but sometimes it is easy! We got offered beer like three times yesterday. It is funny how people mock us. It also makes me laugh when people slam the door in our face. But oh well. Right now we are working with a recent convert who is struggling. He doesnt know if he believes in God, and he said he wants to focus on school. But we are praying for him and trying to help him come closer. He didnt come to church the past two weeks. So that is a little sad. But everything else is good! That is so exciting to here that people are going on missions! They are the best! Anyway, not much else to say.

Hello Family! All is well here in Umatilla. I have 6 more weeks here! I am super excited, the Lord has so much in store for us. We are really going to be working on all the things that distract us from our purpose, even the littlest smallest thing. And we are working on talking with everyone. That is a huge focus in the mission. As we talk with everyone, we find those who are prepared to hear the gospel. So I am super excited!!

Thanks for finally writing me mom! haha. Oregon is awesome. Our zone is on fire! This are is just so awesome. The members are super cool. We are just working on getting them out with us to lessons. And when the missionaries ask you to come out with them, please go! Nothing is more important than sharing the gospel! You can tell everyone that I am doing super awesome.  That is so cool to hear all the people going on missions! I am so excited! I heard that another kid from gilbert is coming to my mission, and I know him too. He is a year younger than me.  And man time is really flying by so quick. Next saturday is 10 months. I have almost been out a year!! That is too crazy. I am scared for that year mark. I really love the people here in Umatilla. The members are super awesome! There are countless people who are just the best. This area is so awesome.

 

The mission is going great though. Lots of cool people. So what is this mentor thing? I didnt know they have that. you will have to explain it to me. Nick Bingham is a super cool kid. He is funny. And I really am having a good time. I have learned a lot about the Doctrine of Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS the Doctrine. Faith is super important and is the starting point for everything. I encourage you guys to go and read Hebrews 11, it talks a lot about faith. But I know with all my heart that this church is true. I am super grateful to be able to grow up in this church. It is so wonderful. I know Jesus Christ is my saviour! I love you guys! Remember, Christ is the Reason! 

Love Elder Caskey