Ready to enter the MTC

Ready to enter the MTC
Kayleigh, Cassidy and Kindee

Most recent letter from Cassidy

Since I slacked off and didn't get this blog started until several months into Cass' mission I thought I would just share his first and last letter. This one was pretty personal but I thought you all might like to read it because i really enjoyed what he had to say about Grandma and also seeing what an amazing testimony he has.
11/29/2010
Hey Family
So I wish that I could be there with you guys right now, I don't know that I'd be any help to you, but it would help me. I've been thinking a lot these past couple of days about this news. When I first received the call from President levya I was in shock and didn't know what to think. Honestly pres. Levya didn't say much just that Grandma had died and that Ali had called him. It was kind of a strange way to receive such news. I explained what happened to my companion and he tried to give me some comfort, but in times like these it doesn't feel like anybody understands. I don't think we are ever ready to receive such news or ready to let someone we love go. I've been thinking a lot lately about all the good times I had with Grandma. As far back as I can remember she was always there. An example, a teacher, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, and most especially a first-class grandma. I remember when I'd get sick at school and they would call grandma to come pick me up. I remember having oreos and milk every time I'd visit. The Mickey mouse pancakes she'd make especially for us. The smell of cinnamon rolls. working on a giant puzzle, hours of card games, greedy and aggravation. We would watch movies 'Little house on the prairie' and every Saturday morning ' the price is right'. I remember going camping once just grandma, grandpa and me, darylyn and mikey. Of course we went to the north fork and grandma prepared our meals and tucked us in at night. The ghost stories 'Little Orphan Annie' and the stories of her childhood and life. I was always having lunch or breakfast with her, she taught me how to cook somethings. It's where i first tasted pero. I always had a place i could go. She was always there. I remember shucking pees with Grandma. She could go so fast and I was so slow, but we always had fun, too. I watched her grow old. I saw the affects old age had on her, but her arthritic hands still were always doing good for others. I started helping her with lots more things, The roles began to shift. For some reason I was always the one that got more out of the service. When we'd go to the doctor or go shopping I always received my frosty and fries. She was always taking care of me. I remember the family home evenings we had. There was always something learned in those night. I was so lucky to be able to talk to such wise and kind people every monday. I remember watching as her mind started getting worse, her thinking slower. It was hard. slowly her body became weaker, but she never did like to ask for help, because it was always her who had given the service before. Then we both lost someone very dear to us. I remember when Grandpa died and the first time i saw Grandma she took me in her arms and I bawled like a baby. She was the on who had lost her husband and I was being comforted by her. Then we lost another. I remember when Bev passed and our FHE groups lost it's second member. Grandma lost her best friend and I lost my second Grandma. We both cried. Almost every happy memory i have Grandma is either in the forefront or in the back ground. Her life was spent working hard and serving others. She has a legacy more precious than any jewel. All who had the privilege of knowing her or were receivers or beneficiaries of her kindness have had a special experience. She was part of the 'Greatest Generation' and she more than lived up to the name. She raised 10 beautiful children who in turn became great parents and raised up more children. Some of their kids had the great opportunity to know this wonderful lady. One especially lucky grandson grew up right next to her. She was a faithful member of this church and she taught us by example. She taught me to be truthful, hard-working, kind and to choose the right. She taught me to serve a mission and right now thats what I'm doing. God is very pleased with the life that she led here and is even happier to welcome her home. We are sad because we no longer have such a valiant spirit amongst us. but she will forever be in our thought and I think she'll always be looking out for us on the other side, waiting for the day we can all be joyfully reunited, never to be separated again. So now I want to do this mission right so i know that Grandma, Grandpa and Bev will be proud of me. I want to be able to see them again and hold my head up high. I've had the teachings of some of the greatest people to walk this earth. We have all been greatly blessed and now it's our turn to follow the examples they gave us. This isn't an ending, it's all one continual round. I know we will see Grandma again. i'm the son of Cherlyn Jacobs, who is the daughter of Dorothy Musgrove. I know my heritage is great and I want to live up to it.
Yesterday i gave a blessing to another grandma who is ill. She's the grandmother of one of our investigators and He is very sick. As i laid my hand son her head I felt the spirit. I was surrounded by her family and I could feel the love all of them have for her. I thought about Grandma and the blessing me and dad gave her not long before I left. Now i don't remember the words, but I remember the same feelings, it's a feeling that reassures me that no matter what happens God is there. He has a perfect knowledge and his love is infinite. Grandma is safe and in peace this I know. We have to walk by faith in this life and put our trust in a being who is much smarter and powerful.
I read Mosiah 4:9. He knows what He's doing, you can count on that. He will never lead us wrong. We can turn to Him and He will comfort us.
Think about the happy memories we had, that what i'm trying to do. Focus on how happy she is now. Think about what she would want me to do. Don't dwell on how bad it hurts, just keep pressing forward.
I don't know how you guys are, but I hope you're doing good. I want you to know that, I pray for you daily. I love you all so much you know you're the reason i'm here because of what you taught me growing up. I will be forever indebted to you. And don't ever think for a minute that I regretted my childhood or growing up next to Grandma and Grandpa. I love every minute of it and now that I don't have that I miss it like crazy. I didn't realize when I was younger the great blessing it was and i sometimes took it for granted. But I have those  memories and those experiences that I can draw on now.
So i'm keeping my head down and moving forward, I got Jacobs and Musgrove blood running right along with the Capps blood so you know i'm fine. I had the privilege of knowing one great person in my life, so I should be thankful. I won't tell you guys you shouldn't cry, because i'd be a hypocrite, but remember the happy times.
Love you forever. I'm working hard, but you are never far from my mind.
Endure to the end we must for eternal life is our goal.
Look forward to talking this Christmas. Until the next letter keep a prayer in you heart. Love you, love you.love you, love you with all my heart, praying for you
Con Amor
Elder Capps
'Be Still My Soul' p. 124

First letter from Cass at MTC

Dear Familia,
I know I wasn't too emotional when you left, but that was only on the outside. Luckily my host missionaries, the two on the curb, were keeping me too busy to think aobut it too long. My comps name is Elder Rider, he was a soccer player at BYU. Guess what, my whole district is going to Peru. All the guys in my district will all fly down to the Lima MTC with me. I'm excited aobut that. The spirit here is amazing. I feel so happy I wanna cry sometimes. We had some actors come in, King Lamoni gave us some words of advice. He was so intense and so spiritual, it was amazing. The mission President or MTC President spoke with his cousnelors and their spouses. The President is a very spiritual man, he reminds me of some actor I just can't place my finger on which one. But he had all the new missionaries stand up and announce where there from. It was pretty cool There was only a few Elders from Oregon. I felt special. But Jed I met a Brazilian guy going to Nagoya, Japan. Portugese, English, Japanese. I'm a little intimidated there are some missionaries on fire, that Brazilian guy for one. But I think and I pray for confidence. Just wanted to tell you how much I love all of you. Say a prayer for a missionary missing you now.
-I know our farewell was bittersweet, at best.
-But this work is important and needs to be spread to all the rest.
Love ya
     Elder Capps

"The Big Day"






Because we had been forewarned by Jerry and Laura about the curbside drop off, we went up to the temple to take some pictures. Then we parked on a side street and talked for a while. Cass was anxious to "get this party started" but wanted his arrival at the curb to be spot on. When the moment arrived he gave the signal and Dad drove the burb to Cass' first home away from home, where we were greeted and Cass was swiftly whisked away to begin his two year journey.

The day before the MTC








Cass, our parents and brother Jed all went to the Salt Lake City temple the next day. Later that evening all of our Utah family invaded a little Peruvian restaurant. We pretty much took up the whole place but the owner was so excited about Cass going to her home country that she didn't seem to mind. Ali translated everything she said to Cass. She told him that the people in her country would love him and she seemed to love him too because she kept kissing him on the cheek. He wasn't quite sure what to think of that.


        Cass said his final farewells to all of our extended family and then we were off to Dan and Holley's for the night. They fed us some great food before we left for the MTC the next morning. We appreciated their hospitality and enjoyed the visit.
Scott and Elisha were nice enough to let us stay in their house for a couple nights. Rachel and her kids were there spending some time with them so we were glad they let us crash their little get-together. Elisha created some gourmet meals using her home grown produce. We enjoyed every minute of our time with them!
     


Last day in Vale

Cassidy and Grandma Jacobs

Out at the house for a family dinner

Great Grandma Rowen, Grandma Bates, Cass and Grandma Jacobs

Grandpa Bates, Cassidy and Grandma Bates

Family picture minus Dad who was taking it and Brother-in-law Sam, who was at work and wasn't able to make the trip down to Utah.

Proud father and son
A few of our family members were able to make it to Cassidy's farewell. Besides our Grandparents, Uncle Kim and Aunt Kathy and their 3 daughters and Uncle Ammon and Aunt Corianne and their 3 children were able to come.
Just before getting on the road heading for Utah, we decided we should get some pictures of Cass at the house since our parents would be moving just a month after he left. Although he was a little bummed about leaving his childhood home for good he was very excited about getting to the MTC.