My Companion is the Bomb.com

Hello family and friends on the internet. I'm alittle behind in updating Cassie's blog, I apologize. Here is her blog post from November. It's mostly about her companion, if you couldn't tell by the title. Hope you enjoy. 
   
      This transfer so far has been the bomb.com!!! My companion is Sister Paongo. She is from Reno, NV and is the best! :) She is Tongan and part Samoan. We were in the MTC together where she turned 22 during our stay in the MTC. Sister Paongo is adopted out of a family of 13 kids into a family of 3 other siblings not including her. (This confused me alittle bit, I'm not exactly sure of what she's actually saying here .... does she have 13 siblings or 3 .... who knows?!) She is so strong in the gospel and knows this church to be the true church of christ! She is so funny and loves to do my hair; which I love!! 

     Also some new things that I found out that I love: TAZO passion herbal tea and oatmeal!! So good!!! I love that tea! Haha! The work is moving along. I am starting to really love missionary work. I am finally getting the hang of it; and I know now what to say and what not to say. It's weird to think that I have a year left. These past 6 months have flown by so fast! We will have 3 baptisms on November 9th. We are so excited for that. Well I love all of you. Remember we can do hard things. ~ Mark 10:27

    ~Love~ 
         Sister Blake

Here's a few pictures of Cassie and her companion that she sent. 

Transfers

I have been transferred to the El Paso, Tx! It is so different here than Albuquerque. Its hard to explain how it is different. Well one way is that almost every other person speaks only spanish. The ward I am in right now boarders Juarez, Mexico. I usually see more of Juarez than El Paso. Its crazy! My new companinon is Sister Daines. She is from Northern Virgina. This is her last transfer, so I am "killing' her in missionary terms. The word is progresing! We have a baptism on the 28th of Sept., Her name is Jackie. She is 17 years old and LOVES the gospel. I can't wait for her baptism!! It will be amazing! We have also extended a baptism date of Oct. 12th to a part member family. We know they are ready. And they know it too! They just wanted to pray about it as a family. So I will keep you up dated on that. Funny Story, we went to church on Sunday and we were greeting the members and talking to htem and a man came up to me and was speaking english and I could not understand him at all because of his thick spanish accent. I just smilied and noded and said yeah and um, and yes. I hope I didn't agree to give him $1 million dollards! Haha. I hope I get the language of it.

So I wanted to tell everyone my favorite talk from the Sept. 2013 Ensign. Oh it was a good ensign this month. My favorite talk, I am pretty sure it is my all time favorite Ensign talk, was " The Healing Balm of Hope' by Vaughn E. Worthen! Oh it is SO GOOD! I love the whole talk. I highlighted like the whole thing. My favorite quote from it is from Pres. Monson and it says, 'At times there appears to be no light at the tunnels ends-no dawn break the nights darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappoointed of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes...If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in your faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflications from you, but he will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.' Also later the man said, 'Hope is fed by faith and provides a foundation for charity.' I know that to be true! Thank you all so much for the letters and packages and emails! You are the best family and friends any one could ask for and I am grateful to know and love you all!

Love- Sis Blake

Can you believe I have been out 5 months! I sure can't

4 months

Hello Family and Friends on the Internet. As promised here is the first of Sister Blake's blog post.

Can you believe it! I sure cant. I can't believe I made it this far during all my sickness. I thought for sure I was going to be going home, but here I am. Still doing the work. 4 months have flown by when I look back at it, but the days seem to drag. So I'm in my third companionship. This companion's name is Sister Rager. She is from Riverton Utah . She turned 20 a couple of weeks ago and this is her 2nd transfer. I have grown to love the ward and area. I have been serving in since I have started my mission. The ward is amazing and I feel as though I have become part of their ward family. Currently Sister Rager and I are in a car, which I love! Sister Rager has a bad knee and the biking made it worse, so a blessing in disguise. It sure does make me happy. But because of the car, the work has hastened. It only takes about 8 minutes to drive from one end to the other end of our area, when before it took 35 min on bike! We are currently working with a lot of less actives. I have grown to love every one of them. I wish to have them come back to the fold of god. I have been reading and studying and pondering a lot of lehi's dream, thinking about where do I fit in this dream. Because I know we are all part of it. And the thought came to me that I think missionaries are sent out in the mist of darkness to find the lost sheep. Of course this is not scripture, just my thoughts. And not what we teach. But it is what I have come to in my pondering and studying . I thought it would be a cool thing to share .
On my mission so far I have learn to love reading the ensign. Oh how I love the ensign! I have learned so much from the prophets and apostles and the general authorities . There were so many great talks and stories in the newest ensign. August 2013. 2 of my favorite talks in this issue was ' A new writing' by elder Melvyn B. Arnold of the seventy and ' move forward in faith'. In the 'Move forward in faith' talk, it references Ether 12:6. ' dispute not because you see not, for he receive no witness until after the trial of your faith '.
I love this scripture. It is so true! Sometimes trials happen and you don't know why they are happening , but if you hold fast to the rod, to god, then ' peace be into thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes . They friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.' D&C121:7-9. I know this to be true.


Love Sister Blake

Public Apology

Hello Family and friends on the internet! First and foremost I would like to apologize to my wonderful sister for not keeping up with her blog and secondly I would like to apologize to you wonderful people recently I have been a little MIA when it came to updating this blog. I've been too caught up in everything that's been going on in my own life which kind of made some things fall short, so ..... sorry again?! Fortunately I do have a couple posts for ya'll of which I will post in the upcoming days.  But just so that it's not all me .... here are some photos Cassie has sent. 

                                            A few Sisters in the area went to the Zoo.

                                          Cassie being silly. 

3 Months

Another short but sweet message from Sister Blake: 

I can't believe I have been out for 3 months. Every day feels like a week! But every week feels like a day. A couple of weeks ago I never thought it could get any hotter. I was terribly wrong!  The thing about this area is that yes it is hot in the mornings ; but its death from 2-7! The good thing about being on a bike is that I have lost about 20 pounds and I have a nice tan! I don't think I have ever been this tan in my life. So with my 3 month mark; I have also had my second transfer. I stayed in this area, and my trainer Sis. Stucki became a trainer again and went down to La's Crises and got a brand new Jeep! My new companion is Sis. Grigg! She came from El paso.  She said her area was right on the border. She and I came out together. We were in the same district in the MTC.  So some how we are supposed to be training each other?!! The blind leading the blind and all that. But the work has really started to pick up which is great. The members are great and are willing to help. Thank you to everyone who has written me. Those letters mean the world to me!

  Love,

 Sister Blake

Increase your Faith

Hello Family and Friends on the Internet!!! Here's another post from Sister Blake. As always any letters, emails, and/or prayers are welcome. Sister Blake recently was admitted to the hospital for enlarged nymph nodes above her appendix which has cause her much pain and sickness. She was released from the hospital shortly after and is back into the swing of things (this isn't something that is mentioned in her post) but please keep her in your prayers. 

      This week has been an amazing week! We had Zone Conference this week. Many lessons were taught and I received tons of personal revelation! One of the main points of this Zone Conference was a quote from President Hinckley, that states: "Tell the missionaries that if they have more faith they will have more success." I took this to heart. So my goal after I heard that was to have more faith!
      I am going to throw in an excerpt from a personal letter Cassie sent me just because this goes along with what was said and it kind of proves a point: After Zone conference I wanted to do just this .... just have more faith. So once we got home from dinner Sister Stucki had a bad headache so she laid down for 20 minutes and then we started companion study, since we didn't get it in the morning (because of Zone Conference). I told her "let's just stay in tonight since you're not feeling well" and she agreed. 30 minutes into our companion study we both said we need to go tracking. So I looked at the map, picked an area that I haven't been to yet and with only an hour and a half left in the day we went knocking. By the end of that hour and a half we got 5 referrals, 1 Book of Mormon passed out, tons of cards passed out, and a return appointment to a lady who is really interested!!! ... So I have learned as long as you give more faith in him, show confidence, and be happy the Lord will give you success!!!
      I have done just that (have more faith) ever since and because of that we have had the best week so far. One of our investigators committed to a baptismal date and we have 3 new investigators! And of course many more things but those were just the high points. (This seems redundant and unimportant to say but don't look at me I just copy and paste people .... now to wrap it up.) I know if you just apply more faith that you will have more success and that can go with any aspect of your lives. I challenge you all to seek and apply more faith for missionary opportunities. It might be scary but it will be worth it! I promise you it will be worth it in the long run. 

       Love you all! And miss you with all my heart! 
                                          Sister Blake

Sister Blake's first transfer

Hello Family and Friends on the Internet. Here is the newest and latest from Sister Blake. This one's short and sweet today, so here goes:

Who called it? I know there is someone out there who said,” I bet Cassie will be sick her first week.” Who ever did, I owe them a candy bar or something because they were right. I was super sick this past week. And had to stay in the apartment. When we did get out we went to some appointments that the people didn’t show up to. It was a rough week. The life of a missionary my friends. I am in the Academy Heights North Area, its in Albuquerque. My trainer is Sister Stucki. I am her first born and she has only been out 6 weeks, now 7 weeks herself. Lets just say she is amazing! I am in a bike/ walking area. And dang! I'm out of shape! My area is hilly for sure. Can I just say it is so hot and dry, but the members are great here! They help us out so much. The light at the end of the tunnel  is Brother Reese. He is a less-active member who lives in our apartment complex. He is so amazing. We are re-teaching the lessons to him. He is so nice. He told us he waits up for us every night to make sure we are safe. He said we are his adopted daughters. He is the best. And he came to church! Anyways miss you all!! 

         Love,
            Sister Blake

A Sister Blake Update (we got pictures!)

Hello Family and Friends on the internet. I would like to apologize it has been a while since you have heard from me ... or Sister Blake. I have been having some technical issues with my internet but put that aside for now I do have a small update for you.   

            Sister Blake's district of Sister Missionaries while in the MTC at the Provo Temple. 

Sister Blake entered the mission field April 29, 2013. She was assigned to an area in North Albuquerque, Academy Heights. Her trainer is Sister Stucki (who has only been on her mission for 6 weeks!!!). Unfortunately, Sister Blake writes that she has been really sick. It's been a tough couple of weeks for her with this sickness. Any prayers concerning her health would be well appreciated; so that this sickness can pass. Sorry your just hearing from me today but Cassie has promised to send another blog post in the mail. So be looking out for that soon.   

Tricks of the trade from a "Senior" Missionary at the MTC

      Hello family and friends on the internet. First I need to put out a disclaimer Sister Blake is no longer in the MTC. She did send this blog post during her last days there, tho. If you would like to write her she has put out her address on an earlier post Address. So now let's get on with the post. 

      After being here for a week. and being considered a "Senior Missionary" I am going to give you some better tricks of the trade so that you are one step ahead of everyone. Since I have been here for a week I know all the tricks to the trade (She's pretty confident in herself, huh? ..... Don't make that face we all were thinking it). I still can't believe I am considered one of the older ones at the MTC?!! Things are going GREAT! I really love it here! I love my companion; Her name is Sister Lindsay. My district is amazing! Everyone in my district is going to Albuquerque, New Mexico! I consider them my family.   

Tips:

      1) Sisters if you are preparing to go on a mission practice right now getting ready in 30 minutes. And that includes a shower. I swear a man made the schedule here at the MTC.

      2) Pray Often!!!

      3) Study your Preach My Gospel like crazy! One of my teachers said "We study the P.M.G. (Preach My Gospel) so that we become P.M.G." - Sister Pitts 

      4) Don't forget your watch! Most of the classrooms don't have clocks. 

      5) Save about $2 for laundry, on your card for P-day. (This is the 2nd time Cassie has left this tip .... it sounds like she has a good story for possibly not leaving enough on her card?) 

      6) Write in your journal everyday!!

      7) Buy a mini hymn book.

      8) Write everything down!

      9) After you are here your first day you can take your "dork dot" off. I put mine on the back of my badge and wrote the date that I arrived at the MTC. 

     10) Prepare yourself for stairs!! Lots and lots of stairs!!

     11) If you have to wear a cami with your dress or skirt it needs to be the same color as the dress or skirt! 

     12) Be obedient to every rule! Even if you don't agree with them. Trust me somethings I don't agree with, but they are there for a reason! So be obedient! 

     13) Be an exceptional missionary not an average missionary. 

     14) Be on time!

     15) Try to make the "practicing" of teaching a lesson as real as possible. Some of my most spiritual experiences so far has been while doing these "practice teachings". 

     16) I, personally, love the little P.M.G. try both and see which one you like. (apparently there are multiple versions, I don't know how they are different but they are...)

     17) Sing hymns all the time! They bring the spirit at any moment.

     18) Take study time seriously!

     19) Read the Book of Mormon for at least 30 minutes each day. (believe me this may sound like alot of time now, but when your at the MTC you have 11 full hours everyday to read scriptures so ... in comparison it's not that much)

     20) Smile! Get to know people. When you first wake up, just smile. It will make you feel better!

Tips about the MTC part 2

Hello Family and Friends on the Internet.  Here's part 2 to Cassie's post on her tips about the MTC:

       11) You get 40% off at the MTC bookstore.
       12) Leave about $2 on your card for laundry.
       13) Be prepared for when your day feels like a week and your week feels like a day!
       14) Have your camera on you at all times.
       15) Buy a clip at the bookstore for your tag.
       16) The bookstore will engrave your scriptures, hymn book, and Journals for FREE!!!
       17) The MTC does free alterations for sisters!!
       18) Bring pens!!
       19) Make friends with your district! Sit with them everywhere: lunch, workshops, etc ... You will grow so close with them and they will become your brothers and sisters!!! 
       20) You have no TIME!!! So be prepared to not have anytime for yourself. 

     I am doing Great! I love my companion with all my heart! She is amazing! I feel ten times more spiritual then I ever thought I could be! Thank you for all your support! 
     
         LOVE, 
             Sister Blake 

Tips about the MTC part 1

Hello Family and Friends on the Internet. Just as a preface to this post I wanted to introduce myself. I am Sister Blake's brother and Cassie has asked me to take care of her blog for her while she is away on her mission. Not to worry tho, all of the posts on this blog will be coming from her. Cassie (Sister Blake) has agreed to send me her postings through either email or letter. And I promise that when I get any pictures from her I will try to include them in these posts as well. Now on with the blog .... Cassie entered the MTC this past Wednesday and instead of writing about how she is doing or what she is doing this is what she has to say:

I got this idea from a blog I read before I came out here. I hope they are helpful.

    1) Bring hangers no matter what anyone says. Hangers might have been provided when they went to the MTC, but that is no more.
    2) The cafeteria is one of the 3 places where you can be apart from your companion; but only when you two are getting food. You still have to sit either across from or next to your companion.
    3) When you are on your floor in your residence hall, you can also be apart from your companion. For example you don't have to take showers at the same time. 
    4) If you don't have a ladder it is under your bed. (I'm pretty sure this is referring to that fact that all missionaries sleep in bunk bed in the MTC, at least the Provo MTC and if the ladder is not set up initially when you show up on your first day this is a good place to start looking for it)
    5) Let all your family know that you can't email them until P-day and you only have 30 minutes. (That means if any of your mothers are like mine the 30 minutes will be spent mostly reading her emails and responding back to their novels they've written you) They did just tell us that they are about to change it to 60 minutes but I don't know when that is happening. 
    6) Sack breakfast and sack lunches are AWESOME! My companion (Sister Lindsay) and I like to get sack breakfasts if we need more time to get ready in the morning or sack lunches after gym time. You don't have to get ready (wear a skirt)to get a sack lunch, which is a plus.
    7) Leave everything in your classrooms, they are your classrooms!! (This is a room you will come to know well during your MTC stay!)
    8) We like to leave our door to our room unlocked so that we don't have to take our key everywhere. 
    9) Buy a retractable clip lanyard for your I.D. badge
    10) Make sure you really like your picture you submit with your mission papers because it is on everything here!

                 Love,
                   Sister Blake

email and more info

my email is cassandra.blake@myldsmail.net

and i figured out that my address for the MTC is 

Sister Cassandra Lee Blake

MTC Mailbox # 281
NM-ALB 0429
2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793 

Address

My address for the MTC (which I will be in for 2 weeks) is:
Sister Cassandra Lee Blake
New Mexico Albuquerque Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

And then my other address for the rest of my mission is:
Sister Cassandra Lee Blake
New Mexico Albuquerque Mission
4400 Presidential Dr. Ste E
Albuquerque, NM 87109

See u in 18 months!!
Sister Blake :)

New Blog

So I decided to start a new blog. This blog will be for my mission. So when my mission is complected I can print it off into a book. Would anyone be willing on posting for me while I am on my mission?? I will email you everything and all you would have to do is copy and paste and hint post. (Dana Herwig?!?!!?) Because my family is not technology minded. except me.

So if you don't know where I am going and when I leave.
Mission: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Language: English speaking, thank heavens!
Boundaries: The center of New Mexico from top to bottom and the wing of Texas.

Departure Date: I go to the Provo MTC on April 17, 2013
Graduation from LDS Business College:  April 12, 2013.
Portfolio Event: April 4-6, 2013
Lets just say I am stressing a little bit.

I can not wait to go on my mission. I never thought in my whole life I would step foot in  New Mexico. But here I go for 18 months. I KNOW in my bones that this is the mission for me! I can not wait to serve the Lord and teach the people of Albuquerque, NM.

I have been trying to prepare myself for the mission by getting rid of some worldly things. First, I have stopped listening to music. I met a girl at school that has a sister right know on her mission to Albuquerque, NM and she says that my Mission President is very strict about the music and that the missionaries can only listen to classical instrumental. So I had the thought if I get used to not listening to music that it will be a relief when I get to the mission to listen to something. And you know what it was really hard for the first couple of days but know its no biggie. I like the time to think for myself. Second, if you didn't know this about me I LOVE TV!! I watch at least 30 shows at a time. So as a Missionary you can not watch any TV or movies. So I knew I had to cut this out. I have gone down to 6 shows. And I am really proud of myself for doing that. And I must say, all those shows I thought I would die when I couldn't watch them, but I don't know why I even watched them to begin with. I didn't really like any of them. I was just watching them to watch them. Third, I ave deleted all of my games on my phone except one, Jetpack, that is my favorite iPhone game ever!! haha. I will have to get of that game also.

So my life is a little stressful right now. I have never been so stressful, emotional, busy, etc in my life! but as my family keeps telling me this is preparing me for my mission. Which I agree but dang its hard!!!!

Anyways I am so excited to go on my mission!

Till the next time,