Beautiful Area!

It is beautiful in Northern Virginia. We see quite a bit of wildlife. Across from our home we frequently see a fawn and mother deer. Recently, we spotted a large hawk squatting squarely on the lawn eyeing a squirrel in the tree. The other day, we laughed when we saw a wasp chasing a bird! Nearby there is a water retention pond which holds a choir of frogs and toads. They know how to sing with forte! At night we try to consider it our white noise. The fireflies are fun and remind us of Indiana. We love it here!~Sister Caplin

Mission Shinkansen

I've been thinking about you all so much! 😘
We are still on the high speed Train ride. We are praying at the end of this first 6 week transfer, we will know more of what’s coming ahead. 

I have so much to write to you and the family. We haven't really had a p-day yet. Each day is so full of scheduled activities, plus the unexpected. I can’t even keep the mission hours of 6:30am-10:30pm. We are keeping the extended hours of “earlier to rise and later to bed!” I told Pres that I really need to keep just the mission schedule outlined in PMG (preach my Gospel). 😉

Our IFR (infield representative), Bro Thomas, at church missionary headquarters said that we are being truly "baptized by fire." He told us the experiences we've had so far, usually happen during the first year, not the first three weeks on a new president’s assignment. That's probably why it feel likes it's been 3 months already! Pres. Caplin says it feels more like a year to him!

Today, we have an Elder here at the hospital just going in for an emergency appendectomy. We have another Elder needing to fly home next week for a special cardiologist appointment. A few years before his mission he had a heart valve replacement and last week in his 6 month checkup he was told he needed a "defibrillator." So he's flying home to TX for a second opinion. He is not being released and hopefully will be able to finish his mission. Sunday we had 3 Elders spend the night at the mission home (we had to take them to the airport at 5am yesterday-Monday). Two Elders are going home for foot surgeries (one broken foot and one painful bunions). The other Elder Nield (Lehi) just finished his 2 years and was returning home two weeks early for a basketball camp/scholarship. We had a wonderful weekend attending his two baptisms (Elia of Honduras & Jaztene of the Philippines) on Saturday night. Pres. Caplin and I were able two weeks earlier to go with Elder Nield on a missionary discussion with Elia. My assignment was to ask Elia to commit to baptism (she's been through all the lessons and hadn't committed yet). I prayed during the lesson for guidance and help. Two scriptures came to my mind: 2 Nephi 25:26 & 2 Nephi 31:10-12. I shared them with her. She was touched by the spirit and said she was now ready to be 

baptized.  Then Pres. Caplin asked if July 21 would be a good date. She said "yes!" Elder Neild was so happy. What a great way to end his mission. I played the piano for the baptism and sacrament meeting (Spanish). Pres Caplin did the confirmation in Spanish (but the blessing part in English). It’s been amazing meeting these many faithful spanish speaking members and investigators from all over the world.

We have so many stories to share! I'm hoping to get to the computer before bed tonight.

Tomorrow begins our Mission Zone Conferences! Oh, what a high speed train we are on. It's the mission Shinkansen for sure!! 🚊 Hoping for a Depot stop soon. 

Hugs and kisses to you all. 😘

Happy Pioneer Day! We love you.

Love,
Sister Toni (Hermana Caplin this week)

Come, Come Ye Saints

I shared the story of Great Grandpa George Brooks’ pioneer journey from Wales to St. George, Utah in a sacrament meeting recently. The topic was on “sacrifices bring blessings.” Just before my talk there was a beautiful cello & piano musical number, “Come, Come Ye Saints.” I wasn’t planning on sharing the pioneer story, but after the musical number I felt such a love and desire to share his story of faith & courage. How blessed we are to have so many ancestors who loved Jesus Christ & His restored gospel. They had such faith & conviction to accept this truth and live it. It was a blessing in their lives. But, oh what a choice gift it is to us-their posterity! Happy Pioneer Days! We love you all. 

We love this picture of Grandpa Walt at age 2 1/2 yrs.
It reminds me of our pioneer heritage.

Feels like new country in each zone.

As we travel around the mission interviewing the missionaries we feel like we enter a new country in each zone. China on Tuesday, Central & South America on Wednesday, India and Pakistan on Thursday and Korea today. 

Melting pot of all melting pots!

The missionaries invited us to go with them and meet the Newton family from Pakistan. Josh Rehoboam-age 14 and his parents are members. Rimal Sitara is a 9 year old cute little girl (niece) who wants to be baptized. The little 6 year old Ara is so fun and smart. He can speak in Urdu and then English. It’s pretty amazing. Ara likes to tell stories about flying his rocket to Pakistan as a secret agent to get the terrorists. 😊 I know all the kiddos would love this family. It was a special evening. The missionaries taught about baptism and attending church. They are coming this Sunday. Rimal asked President Caplin to do the baptism. He was honored but really hoped her uncle or the missionaries would be asked. We will keep you posted. We are truly in the melting pot of all melting pots!

Beautiful meeting with Missionaries!

It’s been a beautiful 14-hr day meeting all the missionaries. What a special experience to feel their love for the Savior. We also had an opportunity to do some “finding” with a sister trio at Chick Fil A. 

I’m welcoming bed time. 

We love you all. 

It's official after the passing of the mission PHONES!

It's official! 
The passing of the mission "phones." 

President Caplin went on splits with the elders while I went grocery shopping since the cupboards are bare. 😉

It's beautiful and green here, much like Indiana. 

Tomorrow is our big all day 4 zone conferences. The Elders will be our chauffeurs. 😍 It has been a day to remember.

Ready to Serve!

Feasting on the words of the prophets at the MTC!

Another amazing day/night at the MTC. We have been feasting upon the words of the prophets (every living prophet on earth was with us the last two days and will be there tomorrow.)  Our hearts are overflowing with love for the Restored Gospel, Book of Mormon, and our Savior and His Atonement, and for our family!

Focusing on God's power in our lives at the MTC

Mission Training Center (MTC)

The days are long and the Spirit is strong. What a blessing to be at the MTC. Many amazing and talented have been called. I'm so grateful Elder Uctdorf and Pres Gay told me to not compare myself to others and to just be myself. I'm focusing on God's power in our lives. 
We love you all! 

A sweet welcome to our 
Mission Leadership Seminar.  
We love our Savior.
We are now official representatives
and wear the badge with honor.

A wonderful day at the MTC.
We met our DC missionaries tonight-11 sisters & 2 elders
(12 are leaving for DC on Monday)

Farewell in Sacrament meeting

Steve and Toni's Mission Farewell will be Sunday,

June 10th at 11:00 AM in the Santa Clara 11th Ward - 

3815 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara, Utah.

That evening they will be having a family BBQ in the Caplin's Backyard at 6:00 PM.

If you would like to watch the silent farewell talk, you can attend the ASL Sacrament meeting on Sunday,

June 17th at 9:00 AM - 1155 N 1400 W, St. George.

They will be headed to the MTC on Friday, June 22nd 

and then flying out of the STG airport on 

Friday, June 29th at 6:30 AM.

We love you all!  Thanks for all of your love and support. We have been blessed with such beautiful training by the First Presidency and quorum of the twelve.  We've had many years of Joy.  We treasure the Book of Mormon, the restored Gospel of Jesus, the missionaries, the Gift of the Atonement, and all of our family!