Your son has been here at my house all day cleaning up,
thanks for letting us borrow him!
Sep 4, 2012
Sep 3, 2012
DAY 642: SEPTEMBER 3
Isaac, you win this time
Hey everyone! We dont have much time to email today, we have
been so busy doing service! And alot of it. We did a few things in baton rouge,
but all that was incredibly minor compared to what we have here. We came back
after a week of evacuation in baton rouge, staying in an apartment with no
power and therefore no AC, we came back on saturday and started on the service.
New orleans itself isnt too bad- but the place that got it good is LaPlace.
Weve been here the last three days gutting houses from the floods. most of the
houses in the area we are working in got 1-2 feet of water IN their house-
which means like 4 or 5 feet in the street. Its mostly taking all their
furniture out to the street, ripping out carpets and cutting the drywall a few
feet up to get the molded stuff out. And if you think you know what stench is-
you have no idea until you open a fridge that has had no power in it for 5
days. No. Idea.
So the plan for the rest of the week is all the
missionaries to work all day cleaning out more houses, and then go back to
their area and teach at night. I've noticed a huge difference in people letting
us in when we have a gospel message and when we offer to help clean out their
smelly flooded house- no telling which is more successful!
Side note- Obama came to town! we saw him drive by in
a huge caravan of police cars. Michelle waved at us!
-Elder Cardon
DAY 635: AUGUST 27
Run Away!
Well, that was our approach with Tropical Storm
Isaac. Last night we evacuated all the missionaries out of the New Orleans
area to come up to Baton Rouge because of the coming storm. It seems like alot
of people down there weren't too worried. In fact, we were stopped by a parade
going through the street on our way out. I guess theres still time for a parade
even when a hurricane is on its way.
We're here in Baton Rouge staying at some other
elders apartment, so theres 8 of us here at one place, its pretty fun. I'm sure
you could find some updates online, but apparently the storm
is supposed to hit the coast on Tuesday or Wednesday. Well see what
happens, I guess. So hopefully we are safe up here.
Sorry for the short update, I'll write a good one next week!
-Elder Cardon
DAY 628: AUGUST 20
N'awlins.
Well, this week we had a great zone conference, and exchange
with the other elders in our district. I went into another area, which is
always a little bit of a break, not having to worry about where to go, but
still engaged in teaching and finding. We found some interesting people, and
had one of those funny drunk guy experiences we haven't had in a long time.
These guys around there truck asked us to come over and talk to them, and asked
us questions about why God lets bad things happen. After trying to figure
out the question themselves, we just went with "well, less bad things will
happen to you if you don't drink so much". That was probably about all the
doctrine they could handle. I'm sometimes surprised about how confused people
are about gospel/religious terminology. A couple weeks ago we were teaching two
people and we were talking about prophets, and one of them asked if lineage was
important to be called to be a prophet. We said the most important thing is
that they are called of God. He asked "well doesn't lineage mean you're a
prophet?" and the lady said, with a tone of duh in her
voice "No, lineage is when you are cleaned from your sins!".
Oh boy, we've got some ground to cover.
We were successful in teaching
many investigators, and finding a few as well. We found a new apartment of
people to teach, and as usual, they all have different interest levels. One of
them we both agreed we could tell was feeling the spirit more than others, and
he is the one we will focus on. One of them you could tell hardened his heart
and in a couple instances laughed at us for what we were teaching, and the guy
who we knew was feeling the spirit had the same reaction we did - Wow, rude. Is
he seriously laughing at this? I tried not to let it bother me, but when he cut
off the first vision and laughed at it, I just asked "is there something
funny going on here?" and I think he had a bit of a wake-up call that this
was the real deal and he shouldn't laugh at it, and he was silent the rest of
the lesson.
Other than that, pretty normal week. not much
time today, so I hope to hear back soon!
-Cam
DAY 621: AUGUST 13
weekly update!
Well, this was a pretty normal week, nothing big to
report on. We had some great lessons and increases in faith from our
investigators, and found quite a few new investigators as well. We did a really
cool lesson with a member family, about faith. So we all know that faith is
like a seed- if you plant and nourish it, it will grow. So we went and bought
some potting soil, little pots and some seeds, and helped all the kids plant
seeds. And then committed to take care of that seed, and also take care of
their seed of faith- by watering it and putting it in the sun, and by
reading the scriptures and praying, respectively. We went by two
days later and most of the little pots had been knocked over, so I guess they
"cast out the seed with their doubt" hopefully they didnt do that
with their faith!
We found a really cool family to teach this week, and
they are from honduras. But they're not your average hispanics- they are of the
Garifuna race. I think I've mentioned them before, they are people who are of
african descent, but speak spanish too. The short version of the story is this:
During slave trades in the 1700s, there was a group three ships
traveling together back from africa to america. Well, I wouldnt like being
taken out of my home to go work really hard in the heat somewhere for no pay*,
and the africans didnt want to either, so the weren't gonna go down easy.
So during the voyage they rebelled and killed all the white people. Not knowing
how to navigate by the stars, let alone steer a boat, they ended up on the
coast of Central america, crash landed, and then established there. So the
Garifuna language is a mix between two african dialects with a little bit of
french, and now some spanish. There are a few members who speak the same
language, so I've learned a little bit of it, but man it is hard! totally a
different feel than any Latin based language. lots of b's and g's. Stuff like
"Maga tiena" "Badibu" and stuff. So luckily, they
understand spanish just fine, and can learn in that, and they teach us little
bits of Garifuna. The 13 year old in their family, named Iwor, seriously caught
the restoration better than most adults. They were really excited about
the Book of Mormon, and we totally have some Garifuna members to be
some fellowshippers! Incase you wanted to know, to say "We are
missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints" is
"Tida guietiwa liguilisi to lani bunguio to janisandu le lagamujou
wellu" Don't worry, I'm still working on it too!
Well, other than that, things have been pretty
normal, we've had a great time with everything. Hope to hear back from everyone
soon! Ask me some questions and I'll answer them in my next update. Or do the
keyword thing, i think that worked for about two emails, but really, it was
great idea!
*Wait, isnt that exactly what
I'm doing right now? lol
DAY 614: AUGUST 6
weekly update
Well, this was quite an exciting week! Probably one
of the best weeks I've had in literally months. And theres a few reasons why.
One of course, is my birthday! It was more or less a normal day, but, theres a
place here in New Orleans that gives you a free steak dinner on your birthday-
couldn't pass that up. So that was a great lunch outing, we went with two other
elders. I also got a great birthday package full of presents, so that's
exciting as well! We got back at night and on our mailbox next to the door was
a sticky not from ups that said in my absence, the package was left on the
balcony. Of course, he should have meant porch, because our balcony is on the
second floor and has access from the inside of the apartment only, and
there was no package on the porch. After just a moment of trepidation that it
was left on the porch and stolen shortly thereafter, we went upstairs to
investigate. Well, sure enough, we went upstairs, and on the balcony was my
birthday box. The only plausible explanation is that he threw it, because one
of our balcony plants was knocked over. I guess thats how UPS runs their
operation: Deliver the package at all costs.
We also had a baptism! Here's some pictures. It was
of two kids, who are 8 and 11. Their mom isnt a member, but their
future-step-dad is (they still need to get married). So just the kids got
baptized now, and then the mom should follow soon. We are really excited for
them, they already have lots of friends in the church, and they are always so
excited about being there. Gary is about to turn 12, so will be moving up to
young mens really soon!
We also had a great increase in faith with Angela and
Cesar, a couple we have been working with. It seemed like they were
looking more for some marriage counseling than spiritual help, but things seem
to have calmed down, and they are really open to us. We had a great lesson on
the atonement with them, and afterwards she told us "every time you guys
come over I just feel really good inside- and that feeling stays in our home
for hours after. I want you guys to come over more often!". Well, that is
totally the spirit! She also told us that she told a few of her friends that we
were coming over and her friends told her some junk about the church and she
really basically said "that doesn't bother me, compared with the feeling I
feel when they teach us." So PUNTO para el espiritu santo!!!
Another huge increase in faith in one of our
investigators was with Antonio, Dora, and Norma. Antonio has come to
church a few times, but just started working nights, so even though he isnt working
during church, sleep takes the priority. Dora and Norma both work at a hotel,
so work pretty much every Sunday, and had never come. But, this week they
totally asked for work off, and got it, just so they could go to church! They
were really excited, and had a great time. I'm always just a little worried
when there is a fast Sunday with investigators, that some member will get up
and say something weird. But, we had a great meeting, with only one iffy
testimony, and they LOVED relief society. I really hope it will work for them
to not have to work more Sundays. We were thinking- they work at a Marriot
hotel, and the owner of Marriot is a member of the church- could we get a hold
of him and ask him to give them Sundays off? =D
Well, those are just a few highlights. Another
exciting event: we used to live with two other elders, but one finished his
mission, the other got transferred, and their area got closed. So we now have
probably the biggest apartment in the mission completely to ourselves. We have
a big room with just our beds, a big room with our desks, a big kitchen and
living room, we each have our own bathroom, and I have my own walk-in
closet. Its amazing!
Well, I'd love to hear from anyone and everyone, so write me
a letter!
Love,
Elder Cardon
P.S.
811 Adele st
New Orleans, LA 70130
DAY 608: JULY 31
Pictures!
Well, this week was transfers and I'm staying! We took some
pictures at our last district meeting, so here they are. 2 serious ones, and 2
silly ones. Enjoy!
-Elder Cardon
DAY 600: JULY 23
Weekly update
Well, this week was pretty good! We had some cool lessons,
and it rained literally almost every single day. Actually yes, every day. So
whenever I say I'm from Seattle and and people ask, "it rains alot
there, don't it?" I can confidently say "well, not really, compared
to here.". So much rain, that last Friday, we were on lock down for most
of the day, due to flooding. We were doing our weekly planning, and we did have
one appointment to go to, but thats about all. We stayed in all evening though.
I did feel a little unproductive, but it was nice to have a night off, this
work is stressful! And other exciting/crazy thing during that time... there was
a straightup drive by shooting 5 houses down from us. We were in having dinner
and we heard what sounded like a firecracker go off outside, it was about
15 pops, so I thought it was one of those firework chain things. We went
outside, and there was no kids with matches, but down the street there was some
commotion and a few minutes later the cops showed up. So, welcome to New
Orleans!
Last Wednesday we had sweet lesson at the
church, with our investigators Gary and Jair. They are 11 and 8, and both
really like the lessons and church and everything. We taught the plan of
salvation, and they understood it well. We wanted to make it fun and exciting
for them so we made it so: We were at the church, so we started in the little
overflow part between the chapel and the gym. This was the "pre-mortal
life" we talked about what happened there, and then that God created the
world for us. Then we said "lets go to the earth." and we went into
the gym. There, they had to do 5 things: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The gift
of the holy ghost and endure to the end. In the gym there was papers all over
the floor, and mixed in was all the stuff we can do in life like ride your
bike, go to school, and other stuff, but also was the five things they had to
find. Once they found them we said "alright, now you're going to
die." Then we went up to the stage and explained what happens in the
spirit world. While there, we explained what happens in each of the three kingdoms
of glory. To help them understand, we gave an analogy that would make sense to
them: In the Telestial kingdom, they have root beer. In the terrestrial, they
have root beer and bread sticks. In the celestial, they have root beer, bread
sticks, and pizza. Which one do you want to go to? Of course, the celestial, so
we went from there into the kitchen and ate pizza, bread sticks and root beer.
Needless to say, they loved it! They are really excited to get baptized, and
they should be doing it this weekend!
Well, theres always more stories, but not enough time
to tell them!
Love y'all!!
-Elder Cardon
Heres a few picutures from my companions camera!
1. Remember the story about when we did the service for the
old guy in our missionary clothes? Well, I wasnt kidding, I weedwacked a lawn
in misisonary clothes.
2. A picture of street with a bunch of cops after the
drive-by shooting. The guy was alright.
DAY 593: JULY 16
Weekly update!
Well, this was a pretty normal week. I got to go on exchange
with the english elders in our district, and I got to go be on bikes with them.
It was way fun, I definitely miss being on a bike. There are definitely some
nice things about a car, though. Like not getting soaked head to foot like I
did while on the bike, because it rained like crazy. Thats usually nice. But we
still had a very succesful day, and taught some good lessons, and Elder Lawson
was able to improve on his teaching skills a whole bunch! We had a good lesson
with a lady who literally thought that 4th of July was celebrated because thats
the day that America got food stamps. Wow. Nice one, Louisiana.
We have been keeping pretty busy, but
theres definitely not quite as thick of a spanish population here as in
Metairie or even Baton Rouge. I think I mentioned before, president Wall said
this was the hardest spanish area in the mission- yikes! But I think even so,
we'll be having a baptism or two real soon. Antonio and Dora are doing really
well, we havent taught them much this last week, but they really want to get
baptized, and Antonio has come to church 4 times! Dora and Norma still havent,
because they work on Sundays, and haven't been able to get it off.
Heres a picture of our street, taken from the
balcony.
Well, my birthdays coming up! You are of course welcome to
send me a letter :)
811 Adele st
New Orleans, LA 70130
DAY 586: JULY 9
just another week in NOLA!
Hey Everyone!
Well, this week was just about like any other.
Like usual, I think of all these cool stories and things to write about, then
get here and all of the sudden the week seems pretty empty. But I'll
scrounge up a story or two. We went on exchanges this week, Elder Altamirano,
who is serving in the East New Orleans area, came over with me, and Elder
Gillett, my companion, went with Elder Mellor to their area. We met some cool
people and taught some cool lessons. When Elder Clarke of the 70 came to our
mission, he gave us the suggestion (commandment) that we should bring the
Bishops wife flowers and give the Bishop a tie on their birthday. Well, our
ward list has the birthdays on it, and it was the bishops wife's birthday, so
we went to the store and got some flowers and a cheap card, and then went by.
Well, they weren't home, so we gave bishop a call. He answered and I said
excitedly "So I heard a rumor that its your wife's birthday!" He
said "no... hers is in... April." After a brief pause I said, feeling
a little awkward "oh.... um... Ok. Bye." So we're like dang it.
Elder Altamirano was convinced he was lying to us or he misunderstood or
something, so he's like "who else could we ask?" on the same ward
list was his daughter. So we txted her and asked if it was her moms birthday
and she said "yup! We're out to dinner right now!" Hmmm... So we
asked the daughter if we could bring something by and she said sure. It didn't
work out that night, but the next day we did. We didn't say anything about the
confusion, she was just excited about the flowers.
We had a great lesson with Antonio and
Dora and Norma, about the Word of Wisdom. I always worry just a little bit about
the doubts they will throw out, but we gave a really good set-up to it, talking
about obedience and the blessings that come from living the commandments. With
a good backdrop of knowing the Lord will help us and then bless us, almost any
commandment seems easy to live! In the middle of the lesson, one of their
roommates came out and sat in the lesson with us. He was pretty into it.
Afterwards we asked about church, and Dora and Norma said they were working and
were going to take the car, so Antonio couldn't come because of a ride. So I
asked the other guy, Benjamin, what he was doing tomorrow, and he said he'd
come to church. So he came with Antonio, and brought his kids, and they loved
it! Awesome!
Last week, my companion and one of the elders
we live with went and bought a bunch of plants, so now we have a mini herb
garden outside on our porch. It nice, I've been a little sick this
weekend, so I've had some fresh lemongrass and mint to make tea with! Woo!
Well, thats about all thats going on for now,
we have a fun day planned. Hope to hear back form you soon!
-Elder Cardon
DAY 579: JULY 2
Happy 2nd of July!
Well, this week was pretty fun, we had some awesome,
spirit-filled lessons with our investigators, and are really helping them to
build their faith. Its awesome! We had an awesome lesson with some of our
investigators named Antonio, Dora, and Norma. Dora and Norma are sisters and
Antonio and Dora are... Well, they're not married, we're at least pretty sure
of that. So that will be a barrier to overcome. Anyways, we had an awesome
lesson last Tuesday, the spirit was amazingly strong as we taught the plan of
salvation and testified of the atonement. Antonio has come to church twice
before, but without us even asking, Dora told us they were both coming to
church! Awesome. But, Satan got up early, and Dora got called in to work,
leaving Antonio without a ride. So that was a bummer. We had a great
lesson with our ward mission leader and his in-laws, they have two kids that
have come to church and love it, and should be close to getting baptized!
So, I am still District Leader here in New
Orleans, and we now have a gigantic district, there are 5 companionships plus a
senior couple. So we have all of us working together, and its a whole lot
to manage! But, I'm doing fine, we'll be doing exchanges this week.
Last weekend, we had a member fireside, which I
mentioned at lunch after district meeting, where we had a wonderful opportunity
to work with the members. We had a fun little get-to-know the missionaries
game, then had a spiritual message and watched a short video, then we split up
into groups and did role-plays with the members about how to invite a fried to
an FHE, how to give a video, a BOM, or an invite to church. I think the members
really liked it and thought it was very helpful to have an opportunity to
practice sharing the gospel with a friend. We didn't have a huge turnout, but I
would definitely call it a success.
Besides, that, it was pretty normal week, this
week should be pretty busy with everything we've got going on!
Love,
Elder Cardon
P.S. I seem to be runnin out of Ideas or topics of things to
talk about. Any more questions/ideas?
P.P.S. Ok, fine, you can write me a letter :)
Elder Cardon
811 Adele St
New Orleans, LA 70130
A few pictures:
From the WWII musuem!
1. Me in front of a bunch of pictures of WWII stuff
2. Me in front of a huge WWII bomber plane
3. Another picture of the same sweet plane from a cooler
angle
Companions!
4.My last companion, Elder Richards
5.My current companion, Elder Gillett
Other:
6. A tres leches cake :)
7. The hotel in which we will be staying at christmas time
(its about 4 blocks from our apartment)
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