Hi family!
Transfers this week! I am going to a new area! It's in the Santa Barbara zone, this city is called Sovang? Or something like that? Not really sure. And I'm whitewash training! Meaning neither of us know the area, and I'll be with a brand new missionary. Another really big growing experience! I'm sure we will learn a lot as we try to figure it out together. It looks like I'm destined to be in the 12 week program my whole mission haha. (For those who don't know, you get an extra hour of companion study your first 12 weeks where you do a structured program. So I've been in it my whole mission so far! Looks like I won't be leaving the apartment before 10:00 any time soon!) My companion is going to be staying in our area and training as well! So exciting!
Gilberto is so great. He is in his 60s and we are helping him prepare for baptism next month. This week his close friend Eva, who's a member, told us that he said after the Hermanas (us) taught him to pray, he knelt down and really prayed for the first time. He said he felt God's love so strongly that he began to cry. Then he went to the store with her and bought a white shirt and tie. He had a Finding Faith in Christ pass along card with him, a picture of Jesus dressed in white, and Gilberto said, "I want to be like him." Wow. That just melted my heart. I love getting to serve these people with such pure desires to follow Jesus Christ.
We had fun teaching a less active family this week. The mom is a less active member, baptized about 2 years ago, and her oldest son is baptized as well. The husband is a non member. The kids love to come to church (different members drive them). This week we went by and the oldest son was saying his mom was busy, and then we heard Adrian say, "Wait I want to say hi to them!" and his brother was like, he's in the shower... Next thing we know 7-year-old Adrian is running out in a bath towel, soaking wet, and is like "hi sisters!" Haha it was so funny and cute. We told him to go get some clothes on and they let us in. The mom came out and we got to teach them about the temple. When we said that if they go there they can be an eternal family they were like, "mom let's go there! Can we live there?" I love that pure desire of a child. The mom said it is something she wants to do, she just hasn't been super obedient in doing what it takes to get there. But we will keep working with them.
Other awesome people we've met this week: A 91-year-old Jewish woman from Germany who walks 2.5 miles everyday! Super cool. A guy named Luis from Argentina who is married to a woman from Italy. They are both tri-lingual. We were on the way to another appointment and I felt like we should go knock their door. They were full of all this love and happiness and excitement! They are kind, funny, warm people. They immediately invited us in and gave us some 7up. We started talking to Luis and he said he loves BYU and almost had the opportunity to go there, and was so disappointed when it didn't end up working out. He says he love all the people that come from there and would love to go some day. (He talked about it like it was Disneyland or something). He's read the entire Book of Mormon and asked us a question about the Resurrection he had read about in Alma. Wha?? Super cool. He said he'd like to have us come back. I won't be here of course, but I'm excited to hear about what happens with him!
I love being a missionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hna. Cannon
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Hey now, you're in Oxnard, get your tag on and go preach!
Well, this week has been splendid. We had Zone Conference! It was incredible. Learned a lot of things! Nothing I could say would be able to do it justice. Wow. This is the Lord's work. It is run by men and women who dedicate themselves to God and through them He builds His kingdom on earth. The conference was so good. They really put the gospel of Jesus Christ into perspective for us. They talked about the journey we make as missionaries. There was a point when we were doing it on our own, we did the best we could, but we have limits. When we hit our limits, we still need to keep giving all we have and being diligent. How is that possible? How can we give more, if we've already given all that we have? I will tell you. It is through the enabling power of the atonement. I have learned that the atonement isn't just for cleansing sin or bring strength in times of trial - it is also for doing more than you can do on your own, going from better to best. Once we go through that process, we can go even further with the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. That's how this work is possible. And of course, that is when we see the miracles, when we have gone beyond our own limits. It makes sense, right? How could we work miracles with only our own strength? That is why we have to exceed our limits in order to work miracles. That is why obedience and diligence are so important to this work. This is one of the many many many lessons I have learned this week. Wow. There's so much about this life I never understood before.
Here's a cool story. So last week, we met this really scary woman who my companion and I are convinced is under Satan's power. Never have I met someone where that was so clear. She was trying to interfere with God's work by keeping us from visiting one of our investigators. She was trying to convince us that our investigator wasn't interested and only keeps having us over to be nice. In this moment I had this overwhelming feeling that we are truly fighting a battle to save souls. Satan is real and captures people to use them for his purposes. Even though we were scared to go back after that, we knew if Satan thought it was important enough to try to stop us, we really needed to go back. We went last week and ended up talking to our investigator's 20 year old daughter, Eliana. It turns out she used to be really active in her church, but she has gone so far away from God -- It's gotten to the point where she feels like she's too far off to be able to come back. It brought me so much joy to be able to testify to her that the atonement is for everyone, there is nothing you can't repent of. That is a truth that is near and dear to my heart, I was so grateful to be able to testify of that truth. She really opened up. Her heart is so softened and she is so humbled right now. She is ready to come back to God. She said she wants to investigate further, our church along with her own, and find the truth. I believe she will find it, because she is willing to do what it takes with an open heart. When people do so, God promises to manifest the truth to them. She will find it. I am excited to continue working with her. We are truly on the battle field out here. There are opposing forces fighting for each person's soul.
I have learned that true joy doesn't come from our own success, but in helping others reach theirs.
Thanks for reading,
Hna. Cannon
Here's a cool story. So last week, we met this really scary woman who my companion and I are convinced is under Satan's power. Never have I met someone where that was so clear. She was trying to interfere with God's work by keeping us from visiting one of our investigators. She was trying to convince us that our investigator wasn't interested and only keeps having us over to be nice. In this moment I had this overwhelming feeling that we are truly fighting a battle to save souls. Satan is real and captures people to use them for his purposes. Even though we were scared to go back after that, we knew if Satan thought it was important enough to try to stop us, we really needed to go back. We went last week and ended up talking to our investigator's 20 year old daughter, Eliana. It turns out she used to be really active in her church, but she has gone so far away from God -- It's gotten to the point where she feels like she's too far off to be able to come back. It brought me so much joy to be able to testify to her that the atonement is for everyone, there is nothing you can't repent of. That is a truth that is near and dear to my heart, I was so grateful to be able to testify of that truth. She really opened up. Her heart is so softened and she is so humbled right now. She is ready to come back to God. She said she wants to investigate further, our church along with her own, and find the truth. I believe she will find it, because she is willing to do what it takes with an open heart. When people do so, God promises to manifest the truth to them. She will find it. I am excited to continue working with her. We are truly on the battle field out here. There are opposing forces fighting for each person's soul.
I have learned that true joy doesn't come from our own success, but in helping others reach theirs.
Thanks for reading,
Hna. Cannon
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| All the sisters in 2 zones! As sister's in Zion! |
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| Hey now, you're in Oxnard, get your tag on and go preach! |
Monday, July 15, 2013
Seeing the fruit!
WOW! MILAGROS!!!!!
This was such an awesome week. Let me just TELL you!
A few weeks ago we met a woman at a bus stop and started talking to her about the church. She ended up being a member! Her name's Amalia. She was baptized at age 10, her mom was excommunicated when she was 15, and she's been less active ever since. We asked if she'd ever thought about coming back and she said she had. She had a stroke so she's in a wheelchair right now and only has use of one arm. We've been trying to visit her and last week we saw a flyer on her apartment saying she was being evicted, so we called and offered to help her move. That's what we did nearly all of Tuesday. We called all the auxiliary leaders, and we got an army of church people to come help. She was so grateful for the help, there is no way she could have done all that by herself. She had to be out the next day at 6 am and hadn't started packing - how could she with only one arm to help her? She was very touched by the ward reaching out to her. A few days later she asked about when church was and said she would like to come back! Sometimes all it takes to bring back some lost sheep is for someone to show their love. I love this church family. It's beautiful.
Gilberto, a former investigator, met with us this week and mentioned a friend in the neighborhood who he talks about the church with. We asked if we could go visit her and he gave us her address. We went to see her and she ended up being a member! She is so happy and full of life regardless of her recent struggles with divorce, being robbed of many of her possessions, and losing contact with the church. But she said she wants to come back! She feels bad though because she doesn't have anything to wear. As we continued to talk with her Gilberto stopped by! He is such a kind hearted man. Regardless of his own humble circumstances, he bought her a dress and some shoes so she could go to church. (They have been friends for 13 years). He is so full of charity. (He always gives us fruit and teaches us about remedies and herbs and things. He just wants to help everyone). As we continued to talk with them, Gilberto said he'd like to be baptized, which we are going to help him prepare to do on Aug. 24! They both came to church yesterday and loved it! We made every effort to help them feel welcome. We introduced them to a lot of members who helped fellowship them during classes. They told us they had a ride to church, but I guess something happened with the car, so they ended up walking! (probably took them like 45 min). We wished they would have called us so we could have gotten them a ride, but we were still so impressed by their faith. It was that important for them to come to church.
Adolfo - a former investigator, texted us this week! (You might remember the guy from forever ago we had an awesome church tour with? That's him). We haven't seen him in 3 months. After we got the text we were driving to visit another investigator and passed by his house on the way, and we saw him outside! We stopped to talk to him and he was so excited to see us! We were able to teach him on Saturday and he said he's ready to learn more!
Mario - the husband of Lupe, one of our investigators. He is normally confrontational, but we were able to have a great lesson with him! His heart was softened and we were able to connect with him about some Bible stories, and the fact that little children shouldn't be baptized, baptism is something you need to prepare for. He was raised Catholic, now considers himself a Jehovah's Witness, but he isn't baptized with them because he likes holidays and dancing. He said he'd like to come to church sometime!
Heron is a Jehovah's witness and he doesn't understand why we need the Book of Mormon when we have the Bible. But he read all of Moroni 10 and said he liked what it said. He is a very sincere and honest man who wants to know the truth. He says he gets a little nervous when he talks to us because the scripture warning of false prophets keeps coming to his mind, but he said that could also be Satan trying to keep him from the truth. I was impressed that he is so sincere and is willing to experiment upon the word.
Working with members is going very well. We've been trying to meet with a different family every week, share a missionary message, then ask them who they would like to focus on to help bring to Christ this year. We follow up with them each week on how their friend is doing. We would like to eventually meet with all of the members in our area. The attitude of the ward is changing. Church was so exciting on Sunday - you can feel it. There were 4 investigators there, 4 returning less actives, and 3 converts who were confirmed that day. It was such a great thing for the ward to see and feel and be a part of. I love seeing the Lord hasten His work, and that we get to be a part of it and help Him do it.
I love being companions with Hna. Corniea. She's a really good singer and is teaching me to sight read acapella. It's super fun. We're currently singing through the entire hymn book! We're on page 115 of the Spanish one. This is a great companionship. We've learned a lot from each other and we're seeing a lot of success in our area. I feel that has mainly come from us increasing our commitment to work harder and harder every day. We are more committed to growing each day, always doing better than we did the day before. When the Lord sees us working so hard and having so much faith, He trusts us with more of His children, because He knows we are ready to help them. That is how He blesses us with miracles.
Love you guys! Thank you for your support!
Hna. Cannon
P.S. My trainer (now an RM) came to church yesterday! That was so weird to see her again not being a missionary. I was like, you mean there is life after a mission? What??
This was such an awesome week. Let me just TELL you!
A few weeks ago we met a woman at a bus stop and started talking to her about the church. She ended up being a member! Her name's Amalia. She was baptized at age 10, her mom was excommunicated when she was 15, and she's been less active ever since. We asked if she'd ever thought about coming back and she said she had. She had a stroke so she's in a wheelchair right now and only has use of one arm. We've been trying to visit her and last week we saw a flyer on her apartment saying she was being evicted, so we called and offered to help her move. That's what we did nearly all of Tuesday. We called all the auxiliary leaders, and we got an army of church people to come help. She was so grateful for the help, there is no way she could have done all that by herself. She had to be out the next day at 6 am and hadn't started packing - how could she with only one arm to help her? She was very touched by the ward reaching out to her. A few days later she asked about when church was and said she would like to come back! Sometimes all it takes to bring back some lost sheep is for someone to show their love. I love this church family. It's beautiful.
Gilberto, a former investigator, met with us this week and mentioned a friend in the neighborhood who he talks about the church with. We asked if we could go visit her and he gave us her address. We went to see her and she ended up being a member! She is so happy and full of life regardless of her recent struggles with divorce, being robbed of many of her possessions, and losing contact with the church. But she said she wants to come back! She feels bad though because she doesn't have anything to wear. As we continued to talk with her Gilberto stopped by! He is such a kind hearted man. Regardless of his own humble circumstances, he bought her a dress and some shoes so she could go to church. (They have been friends for 13 years). He is so full of charity. (He always gives us fruit and teaches us about remedies and herbs and things. He just wants to help everyone). As we continued to talk with them, Gilberto said he'd like to be baptized, which we are going to help him prepare to do on Aug. 24! They both came to church yesterday and loved it! We made every effort to help them feel welcome. We introduced them to a lot of members who helped fellowship them during classes. They told us they had a ride to church, but I guess something happened with the car, so they ended up walking! (probably took them like 45 min). We wished they would have called us so we could have gotten them a ride, but we were still so impressed by their faith. It was that important for them to come to church.
Adolfo - a former investigator, texted us this week! (You might remember the guy from forever ago we had an awesome church tour with? That's him). We haven't seen him in 3 months. After we got the text we were driving to visit another investigator and passed by his house on the way, and we saw him outside! We stopped to talk to him and he was so excited to see us! We were able to teach him on Saturday and he said he's ready to learn more!
Mario - the husband of Lupe, one of our investigators. He is normally confrontational, but we were able to have a great lesson with him! His heart was softened and we were able to connect with him about some Bible stories, and the fact that little children shouldn't be baptized, baptism is something you need to prepare for. He was raised Catholic, now considers himself a Jehovah's Witness, but he isn't baptized with them because he likes holidays and dancing. He said he'd like to come to church sometime!
Heron is a Jehovah's witness and he doesn't understand why we need the Book of Mormon when we have the Bible. But he read all of Moroni 10 and said he liked what it said. He is a very sincere and honest man who wants to know the truth. He says he gets a little nervous when he talks to us because the scripture warning of false prophets keeps coming to his mind, but he said that could also be Satan trying to keep him from the truth. I was impressed that he is so sincere and is willing to experiment upon the word.
Working with members is going very well. We've been trying to meet with a different family every week, share a missionary message, then ask them who they would like to focus on to help bring to Christ this year. We follow up with them each week on how their friend is doing. We would like to eventually meet with all of the members in our area. The attitude of the ward is changing. Church was so exciting on Sunday - you can feel it. There were 4 investigators there, 4 returning less actives, and 3 converts who were confirmed that day. It was such a great thing for the ward to see and feel and be a part of. I love seeing the Lord hasten His work, and that we get to be a part of it and help Him do it.
I love being companions with Hna. Corniea. She's a really good singer and is teaching me to sight read acapella. It's super fun. We're currently singing through the entire hymn book! We're on page 115 of the Spanish one. This is a great companionship. We've learned a lot from each other and we're seeing a lot of success in our area. I feel that has mainly come from us increasing our commitment to work harder and harder every day. We are more committed to growing each day, always doing better than we did the day before. When the Lord sees us working so hard and having so much faith, He trusts us with more of His children, because He knows we are ready to help them. That is how He blesses us with miracles.
Love you guys! Thank you for your support!
Hna. Cannon
P.S. My trainer (now an RM) came to church yesterday! That was so weird to see her again not being a missionary. I was like, you mean there is life after a mission? What??
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Hooray for goals!
(Email from July 8, 2013)
Hi there,
So this was a really great week of self improvement. I am so grateful for the atonement and the Lord's patience with me, and the opportunity I always have to repent and be better every day.
One of our zone goals this transfer is to have one "be" and one "do" goal for each day. Elder Robbins, who visited our mission, told them in a training leader's conference that, "To do without being is self-deception. To be without doing is hypocrisy." I really like that. So every day of this transfer we think of something we want to be for that day, and something we are going to do in order to be that. For example, one day I said I wanted to be a Christlike leader, so I prayed for my companion whenever she opened her mouth. Another day I wanted to be understanding, so I decided to listen with love. Another day I wanted to be faithful, so I decided to set 2 of our investigators with a baptismal date.
I love this way of setting goals, and I invite any of you who so desire to do it as well! It is such a great way to grow every day. I am learning so much from it and this is something I'd really love to continue doing the rest of my life.
Funny story of the week: We were on the way to visit some people and we saw this guy waiting for a ride so we started talking to him. Turns out the English elders visited him last week and he even had a mormon.org card in his wallet. We talked to him about our message and he started asking a lot of questions about what we do. Then he asked, "So do you believe every person you meet or talk to is for a reason?" And I was thinking he's probably putting it together that God's put two sets of missionaries in his life within a week, and maybe we were supposed to meet him that day so he would take them more seriously. So I said, "it's definitely possible." And my companion said, "I think God always puts us in each others paths for a reason." And then he said, "So do you think that reason might be so that I could take you two to a movie tomorrow?" Hahaha. We politely explained that we aren't allowed to do things like that, and we thanked him for his time, and said goodbye. The second we were out of earshot we busted up laughing. It was so funny.
That's all folks,
Hna. Cannon
Hi there,
So this was a really great week of self improvement. I am so grateful for the atonement and the Lord's patience with me, and the opportunity I always have to repent and be better every day.
One of our zone goals this transfer is to have one "be" and one "do" goal for each day. Elder Robbins, who visited our mission, told them in a training leader's conference that, "To do without being is self-deception. To be without doing is hypocrisy." I really like that. So every day of this transfer we think of something we want to be for that day, and something we are going to do in order to be that. For example, one day I said I wanted to be a Christlike leader, so I prayed for my companion whenever she opened her mouth. Another day I wanted to be understanding, so I decided to listen with love. Another day I wanted to be faithful, so I decided to set 2 of our investigators with a baptismal date.
I love this way of setting goals, and I invite any of you who so desire to do it as well! It is such a great way to grow every day. I am learning so much from it and this is something I'd really love to continue doing the rest of my life.
Funny story of the week: We were on the way to visit some people and we saw this guy waiting for a ride so we started talking to him. Turns out the English elders visited him last week and he even had a mormon.org card in his wallet. We talked to him about our message and he started asking a lot of questions about what we do. Then he asked, "So do you believe every person you meet or talk to is for a reason?" And I was thinking he's probably putting it together that God's put two sets of missionaries in his life within a week, and maybe we were supposed to meet him that day so he would take them more seriously. So I said, "it's definitely possible." And my companion said, "I think God always puts us in each others paths for a reason." And then he said, "So do you think that reason might be so that I could take you two to a movie tomorrow?" Hahaha. We politely explained that we aren't allowed to do things like that, and we thanked him for his time, and said goodbye. The second we were out of earshot we busted up laughing. It was so funny.
That's all folks,
Hna. Cannon
Monday, July 1, 2013
You are all wonderful people!
Hello!
First of all, thank you! Oh man, I am so blessed with the most incredible people EVER in my life. Thank you so much for all you do to support and encourage me. Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes! Thank you for the emails, cards, presents, wow. You are so sweet and kind and I just love you so much. Thank you! You of course will all be getting letters from me to tell you personally - I wish I had time to write you all back today!! I'm sorry that I do not. Lately we've had about an hour or less each P-day for letter writing. So I'm sorry that it will take a while to respond to you all, so I just wanted to say thank you a lot a lot! I really appreciate it a ton!
So this week was grand! Our bishop is on FIRE right now! He was already such a good missionary bishop, but that conference set him off! He was visiting people with us all day yesterday. He visited a less active member with us, Jasmyn, and expressed his love and desire for her to come back, and bore powerful testimony. She was in tears. It was just what she needed. We can tell people we love them and want them to come back all we want, but it is so much more meaningful when members, especially the bishop, say so. She said she's been wanting to come back but has been scared of the way people will see her since she hasn't been doing well. The bishop told her how church is her home, and to always remember that. It was amazing. She said she is going to come back. Taking care of the members we already have is such an important part of missionary work! Just like they said in the conference.
Speaking of that, THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think communication about church stuff is better in Utah, because hardly any of our members saw it! That's why I stressed it so much in my letter last week that you all see it. So yay! Thank you! Thanks for being awesome missionaries! I'm excited to continue hearing about your experiences!
On a more somber note, an amazing member of our ward, a 60 year old woman named Estela, who has been battling cancer for 6 years, passed away this past week. She was so awesome and was so good at strengthening everyone she talked to. She was a great member missionary. Her funeral was on Friday, and it really gave me a lot to think about. Life is so short. I had the realization that day that after being trained, and after training Hna. Corniea (which will be over after this transfer) that will be six months of my mission. Whaa?? I was so shocked. That is 1/3. It is going by so fast. I feel like I just barely got her. That realization and Estela's funeral really made me refocus on living life, my mission, to the fullest. I cannot waste one moment of this incredible opportunity I have to serve as a missionary. I want to learn all I can. I want to be all I can. I want to do all I can to help save my brothers and sisters. I love this experience, and I've really come to realize how much I need to appreciate every moment I have out here. I read in this in the mission handbook today, "You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel." That hit me so much today. How can I, Amanda Cannon, possibly do Him justice - representing our Savior, Jesus Christ? But I know that I have been called to do it, and the Lord says that I am worthy to do so. Wow. What an incredibly humbling position to be in. I treasure every moment I have while I am so blessed to be called to this work.
Thanks for reading,
Hna. Cannon
First of all, thank you! Oh man, I am so blessed with the most incredible people EVER in my life. Thank you so much for all you do to support and encourage me. Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes! Thank you for the emails, cards, presents, wow. You are so sweet and kind and I just love you so much. Thank you! You of course will all be getting letters from me to tell you personally - I wish I had time to write you all back today!! I'm sorry that I do not. Lately we've had about an hour or less each P-day for letter writing. So I'm sorry that it will take a while to respond to you all, so I just wanted to say thank you a lot a lot! I really appreciate it a ton!
So this week was grand! Our bishop is on FIRE right now! He was already such a good missionary bishop, but that conference set him off! He was visiting people with us all day yesterday. He visited a less active member with us, Jasmyn, and expressed his love and desire for her to come back, and bore powerful testimony. She was in tears. It was just what she needed. We can tell people we love them and want them to come back all we want, but it is so much more meaningful when members, especially the bishop, say so. She said she's been wanting to come back but has been scared of the way people will see her since she hasn't been doing well. The bishop told her how church is her home, and to always remember that. It was amazing. She said she is going to come back. Taking care of the members we already have is such an important part of missionary work! Just like they said in the conference.
Speaking of that, THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think communication about church stuff is better in Utah, because hardly any of our members saw it! That's why I stressed it so much in my letter last week that you all see it. So yay! Thank you! Thanks for being awesome missionaries! I'm excited to continue hearing about your experiences!
On a more somber note, an amazing member of our ward, a 60 year old woman named Estela, who has been battling cancer for 6 years, passed away this past week. She was so awesome and was so good at strengthening everyone she talked to. She was a great member missionary. Her funeral was on Friday, and it really gave me a lot to think about. Life is so short. I had the realization that day that after being trained, and after training Hna. Corniea (which will be over after this transfer) that will be six months of my mission. Whaa?? I was so shocked. That is 1/3. It is going by so fast. I feel like I just barely got her. That realization and Estela's funeral really made me refocus on living life, my mission, to the fullest. I cannot waste one moment of this incredible opportunity I have to serve as a missionary. I want to learn all I can. I want to be all I can. I want to do all I can to help save my brothers and sisters. I love this experience, and I've really come to realize how much I need to appreciate every moment I have out here. I read in this in the mission handbook today, "You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel." That hit me so much today. How can I, Amanda Cannon, possibly do Him justice - representing our Savior, Jesus Christ? But I know that I have been called to do it, and the Lord says that I am worthy to do so. Wow. What an incredibly humbling position to be in. I treasure every moment I have while I am so blessed to be called to this work.
Thanks for reading,
Hna. Cannon
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