weekly email: Alda and Airy

Elder Canuto is transferring. My wish to stay in Ichinomiya until the end of my mission came true. The member missionary work here is incredible and I should’ve planted those carrots sooner. I Definitely feel the responsibility and trust that was given me to be put in such a model area. 

Elder Canuto and I saw miracles here. The biggest ones went all the way to baptism. After our first month, my friend Elder Reis (who was serving in 犬山 next door) sent us an address to check out. One night when our investigator didn’t answer the door (and we ended up dropping them), we only had 1 hr left, it takes 30 to get home and 20 to visit the address but we went for it. 

Hahaha the lady recognized us as the Mormons, we went inside and had a great lesson that went way overtime. They came to church that Sunday. The next week, we referred them to the Sisters. Over the next two weeks, they came to church consecutively but for some reason the lessons weren’t moving forward. 

Then, we held a FHE with a member family and taught the POS. Also ate too much spaghetti for my delicate stomach. It was almost awkward how long the invitation to baptism was prolonged, they accepted it in a heartbeat. The mother and daughter cried with joy at the prospect of the Celestial Kingdom. 

Then the WML went all out as he set up for a baptism in two weeks. There was daily contact, and like  three lessons a week. Some sicknesses and unexpected events made it look sketchy, but it was ok because Alda and Airy sucked in the lessons like fish breathe water. Alda quit smoking. Airy threw out her huge immodest wardrobe. They read the BOM and shared passages that moved them, confirming the truth. 

The baptismal Service on June 24th was so sweet. I don’t know how but I baptized Alda and Elder Canuto Airy. A surprise gift to Alda came, a video of several cousins she hadn’t seen or had contact with for 30 years congratulating her. Alda broke down, her husband (who came special to see the baptism) broke down, everybody tearing up and the the Spirit we had all been feeling went overflow. 

The details are incredible and truly witness that God has his hand in the minutos, loves each of his children and provides a way for them. 

Sorry that my emails recently haven’t been all that, we’ve just had so much going on it’s hard to write down.

愛しています！

カードん長老より

Elder Cardon