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??