DAY 363: NOVEMBER 28

TURKEY DAY/TRANSFERS!

Hey Everyone!

This week was great, I didnt even mention that last week was transfers! Lemme explain real quick how transfers happen here. So normally, during the week, our preparation day is monday. On transfer week, we have it on Tuesday, because on Monday night we have transfer calls, where we have to be in at a certain time to come take a phone call from president if we are getting transferred. Then on Wednesday, if we are transferred, we go to the stake center in Baton Rouge, have a big meeting where everyone finds out where they are going, then go back to your area. So, we came in at the appointed time Monday evening, the time passed, and no call, which we were kind of expecting. We had our p-day on Tuesday and I didnt even mention that it was transfer week in my email because nothing was happening, then continued on with normal life. Then, on Friday, during our district meeting, we got a call from President, informing us that two of the missionaries in our ward, serving in Baton Rouge north, were going to leave, and be double transferred into another area. So, the East Baton Rouge elders and us, the South Elders, would be taking over their area. So we got out a map, decided on some boundaries and went to just north and south Baton Rouge. Other cool part, one of the elders leaving was the district leader, and president asked me to be the new district leader! How exciting!

So thats the big news of the week. Part of this was switching us around, because Elder Sorensen and I are the only ones who have driving priveledges (the other elders were previously on bikes) so I am now with an Elder Cornejo, and Elder Sorensen went to North BR with Elder Aguilar. Him and I are getting along well. He brought a chess board, and is a chess genius, so we've been playing it quite a bit here in our apartment, with the english elders as well. I told the story last week about committing that family to church- Unfortunately, they listened to Satan. Some lame excuse of we "had" to go do something that potentially compromised our eternal salvation.

Oh yeah, thanksgiving was this week! On thanksgiving morning, we had a little "turkey bowl", we went to the church and played some soccer and volleyball. We had a few members and a few investigators there and all the missionaries, and it went pretty well! We did our weekly planning, and the english Elders got a entire cooked turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy from a member, so we put some of it in a tupperware, and brought it over to our romanian friend Drago, and he was really touched that someone had thought about him, because he doesn't have any family here. We also brought him another Romanian book of Mormon, and left him with some to read.

We went to a members house for dinner, and it was excellent! There were some other ward members there, and some of their extended family. The food was excellent! One of the members who was there asked me to give him the recipe for the thing I cooked before. Awhile ago, for the baptism and later for a break of the fast thing after church, I made a tres leches cake, and everyone loved it. So, I of course thought he was reffering to that. I said sure I'd get it to him. He than said to a couple other people at the table "Elder Cardon is going to give us the recipe!" I was a little confused about why he was so excited and decided to share it with everyone, but I said "sure, you can all have it if you want." Then after a little bit of me still being confused, he said "no not the tres leches- your little music thing!" Then it all came together, about the Beatbox chef thing I did a while ago at the ward talent show, he wanted me to do that! Then it kind of came to everyone looking at me and waiting for something to happen, and me wondering if it was proper manners to beatbox at the table, even though we were all done. So, I got a couple little dishes, and did the act. Everyone loved it. So much, that they said "let us get our phones so we can record it!" So, with about 6 people filming, I did it again. I asked someone to email my family the video, so hopefully that will get through to someone over there.

Well, thats about it for the week, hope everyone else had a great thanksgiving!!

Love,

Elder Cardon

DAY 357: NOVEMBER 22

Hey everyone!

Well, this week was pretty good, we FINALLY had someone at church. Everyone for the past few weeks has been shanking us at the last second, and will come up with any excuse under the sun to not be able to go. Although the top excuse of all would be "I prayed and asked if I should get baptized then my fish died, so thats a sign that I shouldnt do it" "well its probably not, so we'd invite you to pray again" "well I dont want any of my other fish to die". Lame. Really it just comes down to desire. Theres this one family that apparently was taught alot before and was pretty close to baptism, we had a lesson with them last night and committed them for church and they said they would let us know on Saturday if they would be able to. We talked a little about it and basically explained it like this: God really wants you to go to church. Satan does not, and he will try to throw anything and everything he can in that time slot to make you not go to church. If you say today that you will reserve that time for church, he might try to get you to go do laundry or go shopping or go somewhere with a friend, but you will already have something more important in that time slot, and will be able to go to church, and will be able to do those other things another time. If you say you will wait for Saturday, that gives plenty of time for him to come up with something to throw in the path, and if you are not comitted to come to church, then that other activity will fall right into place and Satan will win. So will you commit right now to come to church with us on Sunday?

 

From what I could tell, I think it worked. We'll let you know for next week if they came or not. So anyways, our guy that came was Rolando, hes been doing pretty well, we taught him the word of wisdom last night and found he smokes, and drinks alot of coffee. Oh boy. I know with some faith and hard work, he can still be ready for baptism on the 9th. We had a really sweet lesson with a part member family the other night, she is less active and is going to some other church here with the rest of her family. They are totally awesome, they have 4 kids from 8-12 years of age and are a ton of fun. We had a really fun visit with them the other night, we had a short lesson with them, we taught them about nephi building the boat, and with faith and Gods help we can always keep the commandments. Then we just kind of hung out with them, I did a little juggling act for the kids, they showed us a bunch of pictures from their family vacation over the summer, and we got the kids to like us alot. First step to getting them away from this bogus church to which they go. :)

This last week we also had a zone conference in which we really focused on our planning and kind of overhauled the way we do it. Without going into unnecessary depth that would be uninteresting to anyone whos not a missionary, they are going for the "less is more" approach. So instead of in your weekly planning having a whiteboard, an extra notebook and your planner and area book, to just keep everything in the area book and have all your plans in one place. But, I sort of feel like its taking a step backwards. Because, they have us plan out every day we are going to teach certain principles and extend certain invitations, which I've seen, doesnt always work out on the appointed day. So it really just seems like a waste of eraser to me, because what we would do before is say take each person, say we want to teach these certain concepts and invitations, and then see them when we could see them and plan day by day. So I thought what we are doing now is the "higher law" that left behind what we just started doing again. But, well see how it works out.

Other exciting news: we have a christmas tree in our apartment! I made it. How, you ask? When Elder Sorensen got into the mission, his bike came in a box. I decided we would do something exciting with said box, so its been kicking around our apartment for a month or so. Then, the revelation came! I drew and cut out a shape of a christmas tree on both sides, and then did the think where you cut a slit halfway on each one so they slide together, and boom! christmas tree! (see attached picture if that didnt make sense) We might invest in some green spray paint to make it really authentic.

So, thats about it. I think I mentioned I would talk about the crazy romanian guy. His name is Tiberius Dragos. We just call him Drago. Hes drunk most of the time, but always wants to talk to us. He's brought up something about the Sabbath being saturday, and also asking why we dont like other churches. He says the book of Mormon isnt true because it says Christ came to the americas, and he has a book that says that Christ didnt. We've still yet to see this book and apparently its in Romanian anyway. So we try to communicate and ask why Jesus couldnt have come here and he says with a thick accent and poor grammar that the united states wasnt discovered yet. Well, yes, Drago, but there was still people here, were they children of God as well? "NO!!" "really Drago?" "Ok, well yes, but Jesus no come here!". So the other day we printed out a conference talk in Romanian and gave it to him, he said he liked it. Slowly but surely, we'll get him there. Apparently some missionaries in the past gave him a BOM in Romanian, and we've asked him to find it but he still hasnt looked. When he does hell have some good reading to do.

Hope everyone has a great day, and write back!

 

Love,

Cam

 

Pictures too!!

1. Me, elder Heredia and Elder winters. Elder Heredia went home on saturday, Im gonna miss him a bunch!

2. Elder Francis, Me, Elder Anderson. Elder Francis just went home as well.

3. Elder Huffines and me. I had no idea what was going on next to me until I looked at the camera later.

4. Our living room! complete with foosball table, nappy couch, our bikes, and the christmas tree I made!

DAY 349: NOVEMBER 14

So, I think last week I mentioned I would have all kinds of exciting stories to tell. Not so sure its going to happen. Like I've said, obviously we do stuff, and obviously stuff happens, but none of it seems to come to mind or to be interesting enough to mention in my email to yall. But, Elder Sorensen next to me is writing paragraphs upon paragraphs of stuff that happened, so clearly something did. I guess I'll pull some insights from him.

 

 

Church: Probably one of the most frustrating things in all of missionary work. One of the hardest key indicators to get. We go to peoples houses and teach them, they will sometimes read a chapter we left with them, or whatever, but when they have to go really far and go to church for longer than they likely ever have before, it takes some serious faith. We have a guy named Rolando, who lives in the same apartment that Eduardo used to live in. Did I ever talk about Eduardo? Seems like I didnt.

 

 

Tangent on Eduardo: Really funny guy. About 21, and has probably the jumpiest attention span of anyone I have ever met. He would usually pay attention when we taught, but would usually sit down and stand up in random intervals, and throw in random references and stories that didnt have anything to do with the current theme, often to Lady Gaga songs. One time we were literally comitting him to baptism, and he stands up while were talking and says "well yeah I think I will- but let me show you some of the drawings I've been doing." then proceeded to show us some of his drawings of random people and one of Christ that he copied from one of the pamphlets, and I think he still ended up accepted the commitment. Then one time, we were heading back from visiting someone else in the same apartment complex, and saw him out on his porch. He came out and talked to us, and asked what we were doing, we said heading back for dinner. He asked is maybe we wanted to play soccer, but he didnt have a soccer ball. We could pretend the little grassy area in the apartment complex was the field and that we were in a big stadium. He then proceeded to suggest some other activites, such as throwing a rope over the branch of that tall tree, and making a swing and pushing eachother on it. Or, building a campfire outside, and inviting our friends and he would bring his guitar and we could sing and roast marshmallows. And then we would accidentally burn the whole apartment complex down and the firemen would have to come and they would save him, but not us. So thats Eduardo. Unfortunately, he moved to houston, but really wants the missionaries over there to visit him, so we talked to him on the phone after he moved and we got his address, and will get that to the mission there.

 

 

End tangent. Rolando: So he had sat in on one lesson with us and eduardo, and he came to our english class as well. He really likes what we teach, always asks great questions and is really humble, well prepared for the gospel. He was excited to come to church with us. He had his own car, and was just going to follow us. We ended up getting a ride with a member, and we decided perfect, well just all go together. Then we went to visit him on Saturday night, to follow up, and a member who lives in his same complex,, named miguel, answered the door! how random! They are actually friends. He said they had talked about church and he was going to bring him the next day. Even better! So we left it at that. Sunday, as church was starting, they werent there. Maybe just runing a little late? we tried calling after the first hour (we have sacrament meeting last) and they didnt answer. We tried calling again right before sacrament meeting and he answered, and said he got called into work, so couldnt take him. Ya coulda let us know!!!!!! Real bummer.

 

 

Raul is doing great, he took us to a chinese buffet on saturday, he got the priesthood on Sunday, and also invited us to teach one of his neighbors! We went over on sunday night and had a great lesson with both of them. His name is Hector, I see some potential in him.

 

 

Well, theres a few stories. Next week I'll have some more, including some details about this crazy romanian guy we talk to sometimes.

 

 

Love,

Cam

 

 

P.S. Still waiting for requests on christmas presents!

DAY 342: NOVEMBER 7

Hey Everyone,

This week went pretty well! We had the baptism of Jose Raul, all went smoothly. I attached a picture. He bore his testimony in sacrament meeting, it was great! Hes thinking about moving back to Honduras very soon to be with his family, so it will be a bummer to see him leave, but it would be alot better for him to be there and with his family than here.

So last week I said I would come up with some stories to tell you, but guess what, I'm not sure I have any. Ok I guess I have one. So we went on exchanges last week, and I went with Elder Salazar to North Baton Rouge (I am serving in south) and it was pretty fun. We visited a guy who is one of those guys who while you are teaching, will pick out some detail and try to find a fault in it, then we'll explain it and hell realize it was kind of a dumb question, then we'll keep going and he'll pull out some un-related biblical scripture and try to tell us about it, but he'll again realize it doesnt make sense. It seriously took like half an hour just to read the intro to the Book of Mormon. But, I've realized getting mad and pwning them biblically doesnt really help, and it wasnt my investigator, so we just left him with a chapter to read. Another story from that exchange, we were talking to someone outside and they had their dog running aroun their front yard, and it was really hyper. It was jumping up on E. Salazar and sometimes on me. I'm certainly ok with dogs, and normally dont mind them jumping on me, but when im in missionary clothes, and not really in the mood to play with a dog I just ignore it. But, this dog certainly wanted the attention, so when it jumped up, I just pushed it away with my knee. Well, that made it fall right on its back. But luckily it just rolled over and then jumped back up on Elder Salazar. The lady we were talking to thought it was funny, so its all good.

Other exciting news- I think I may have mentioned it, but last week we found a foosball table. May have been next to a dumpster. May have been pretty gross. But, we brought it home and cleaned it up, and have had it in our living room all week. Its been quite the hit with other missionaries over, we've had alot of fun with it. We double checked the white handbook, looked like theres no regulations on foosbal tables in apartments.

Well, this week for p-day we are heading down to the World War Two muesem in New Orleans, Ive heard its really cool, I'm excited. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and not get shot. Thanks for the emails this week, and let me know if anyone wants anything for christmas!!

 

-Elder Cardon

P.S. Heres a picture of the baptism!! its Me, Elder Sorensen, Raul, Sister and Elder Powell, the wonderful senior couple we have with us.

 

DAY 335: OCTOBER 31

Hey Everyone!

So the big news this week is that Raul is going to get baptized this friday! He was supposed to be baptized a few weeks ago, but because of his family not really being in agreement, he decided not to do it. But, we had a great lesson with a member after church on Sunday, and we decided that him getting baptized and recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost was the best thing he could do for him to know how to work with the problems in his family. It was a really cool experience, he even asked in the lesson if he could do it that day! In my head I thought "well, it takes an hour or two to fill the font, but its only a ten minute drive down to the river!" But, we'll do a whole baptismal service and everything on friday. I'm really excited for him.

Last p-day, we went to the park and played ultimate frisbee and flag football! it was pretty fun. We dont get to go out and play very much, so its nice when you can. On Wednesday, we had the wonderful oppourtunity to go the the Temple! We went with the spanish missionaries and the Powells, the senior couple here, who are wonderful people, incase I havent commented about them. Its just like having another set of grandparents here with us! I really learned alot, I wish we could go more often!

Even though I'm sure something did, it doesnt fell like alot else happened this week. I always tell myself I'll have all kinds of stuff to write about, but then it comes to email time and all the stories seem to leave. But, I'll have something to tell you about next week, promise!

Love,

Elder Cardon

 

P.S. What does everyone want for Christmas?

DAY 328: OCTOBER 24

Hey family! We had a pretty good week last week, we have met some new people and have a little bit more of a teaching pool. We had the cool experience last week of going to the rural life museum, which I wrote about, but nobody commented on, so apparently you didnt think it was cool, but I thought it was! Elder Sorensen and I are getting along pretty well, we have taught some good lessons and his spanish is improving (but he still has a ways to go) :). Last week we had a member of the LSU singles ward come out with us, who served his mission in Mexico a few years ago, which was pretty cool. Always nice to have a little extra testimony there.

So I've been better about writing in little things that happen each day, so I have a few stories to tell! We had a district meeting last Tuesday and we did an "object lesson" of trying to walk across the gym blindfolded, but having the example of having the missionaries help, then the members help, etc. I was the one blindfolded, and I failed. But, its because the members didnt help me find the otherside, which was the celestial kingdom! So, to all members everywhere- help out the recent converts. On wednesday we went and helped a member who recently had a baby translate at the office for WIC, whatever that stands for. Its some program where they give you milk for your baby or something. But anyway, there was a whole lot of posters promoting breastfeeding. Little bit weird as a missionary. Or anybody, really.

Last Thursday and Friday we had a cool specialized training with our mission president, President Wall. It got us super motivated and on a new focus, which is really about teaching the Doctrine of Christ. That is, the simple things- Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. Thats what its all about. And thats what was really restored in this restoration of the gospel. Its all over the place in the Book of Mormon. Its of course in the New testament, but without the base guide given to us by the BOM and modern revelation, its is very easily misinterpreted. So, thats kind of our new mission focus, is really working in the doctrine of Christ into every lesson we teach, and inviting them to partake of the atonement through it. Of course we still share the Joseph Smith first vision, the plan of salvation, the word of wisdom and everything- but really putting it all through the "filter" of the doctrine of Christ.

 

Yesterday we had five, yes, FIVE people committed to come to church. They all shanked us, and we had a whole whopping zero people. Its cool. Didnt wanna bring you eternal salvation anyway!

Well, hope everyone is doing well, and hope to hear from you all soon!

 

Love,

Elder Cardon

DAY 321: OCTOBER 17

Well, this week was pretty good, we had transfers, and I got a new missionary to train! His name is Elder Sorensen, from Cash Valley, Utah. We have been doing pretty well. Its really made me have to think hard about what to do and who to visit, because Elder Terry had been here a long time, so I didnt have to really be in charge of much, but now its all up to me. Elder Sorensen is the driver, due to my exemplary driving record before the mission, so I've been directing him everywhere to go. We've found some cool new investigators already, but unfortunately didnt have anybody at church.

So this morning we went to a place called the "Rural Life Museum" its like an old plantation that has alot of the stuff restored. Thinking of my mother, I attached some pictures of some of the old furniture. :) Also some pictures of other random things around there. They had an indoor part with a bunch of old horse buggies, an old pump organ that you could actually play, and some other old time relic stuff. There were a bunch of old cabins from different plantations around the state that they had brought in, it was pretty much all outdoors, where you'd walk around to all these different spots, they had a thing where they boiled the sugar cane to make molasses, a sugar cane press, and other tools they used to harvest and produce sugar. It was really interesting, we went with the senior couple that serves in our branch, the Powells, who are wonderful people, and a bunch of other missionaries, pictured here with some scarecrows, trying to blend in. My companion, Elder Sorensen, is on the far right. Overall a cool experience. We went and got some fried chicken afterwards. Another P-day adventure we went on that I dont think I shared was that we went mountain biking! There was this cool place that has some trails, which I was very impressed with, and we had a ton of fun. I sure miss riding some good old singletrack. Theres a shot of me and Elder Terry, and Elder Robbins who came with us. Also an action shot of me on my bike.

We have found a couple new people like I said, but really just dont have much of a teaching pool. There are just alot more spanish people in Metarie. Its been tough, but, with faith its all possible. While knocking doors, we met this white guy who said after reading this book his perpective of God totally changed. Basically he decided that God didnt have a body, or even a humanly form, but that he IS the entire universe. So there is a higher power, he likes the idea of God, but has a little bit different ideas. Yesterday in church I was supposed to give a talk on the atonement, but we ran out of time, so the branch president said hed have me speak on the 30th. I'll have plenty of time to make my talk nice and well written. I actually wrote part of it in a chaism just for fun, maybe I'll throw in a few more. I think I mentioned before about sometimes we can get ourselves confused studying deep doctrine, but when we look at it, the only doctrine that matters is the atonement. Becuase without that, we couldnt do anything else.

 

Funny drunk guy story: We talked to a couple of guys outside their apartment and he kept asking me if I spoke spanish, and I would answer yes, then he would try to talk to me in english and say "I need twenty dollars. You have twenty dollars?" I told him no. He asked me two or three more times, then I finally just said, "You know what, I need twenty dollars!" he said ok, and proceeded to hand me his entire wallet. I thought about just grabbing it and walking away, but figured that might be a bad idea. So, thats about it for the week, hope everyone else is doing great, and hope China treats you well!

 

Love,

Elder Cardon