I don't really know how to start this email, but I will just tell you the news. My companion, Hna. Hamlin with be going home this week. She has been inside for four weeks and has not been able to recover. She is going to go home so that she can heal, and then come back out. I heard stories of this happening to people on their missions, and I never really thought it was a big deal. I see now how much of a trial that is for all the missionaries who go through it, as well as their companions. I am very sad to see Hna. Hamlin go. I will miss her very much. But I trust in the Lord and know it is His will. I know that everything happens for a reason. I can see the Lord's hand in me being here with Hna. Hamlin, and living with Sis. Moure and Sis. Hancock - then Hna. Hancock going home, and Sis. Stoker coming in. The Lord puts us in each other's lives right when it's needed.
He's taught me a lot this week about how to endure well. We are here as missionaries to lose ourselves in His service. In doing so, He takes care of us. He gives us investigators with needs that we ourselves may have. He lets us learn with them. This week we taught a single dad who's daughter has been in the hospital for 10 months and got a heart transplant this morning. He also has an autistic son. His positive attitude was outstanding. All he ever wants to talk about is how much God always answers his prayers and how much the Savior has changed and strengthened him. It was so uplifting for me to hear that. I have felt sort of like a single parent lately, as I have been single in my stewardship. But seeing his faith and trust strengthened mine. If he can be positive, cheerful, and patient in the face of adversity I know I can. This week involved a lot of fasting and prayer, and I feel redeemed from my struggles.
I know this is the Lord's work. There is no doubt about that. Throughout these struggles I have done my very best to take care of Hna. Hamlin as well as our area. The Lord knows I am doing all I can, and His grace is sufficient for me. It has been incredible to see the blessings and miracles in our area. It is such a testament that this is the Lord's work - He can do it on His own, and He will - if we consecrate ourselves to His service.
Our area is booming! The Lord is really taking care of this part of His vineyard. When we have appointments I either switch with the sisters we live with or have one member stay with Hna. Hamlin and one come out with me. Whenever I leave the apartment, it's just miracles the whole time. In order to make up for all the time I spend in the apartment with Hna. Hamlin, the Lord just makes the time I have out of the apartment be super super productive.
The Figueroa family is doing so well. Last Monday we taught the Gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, ETTE -- that's Endure to the End) and invited Ana and Venancio to be baptized. They both said yes! Then we invited them to be baptized on Mar. 29. There were gasps, eye brow raises and huge smiles from the two kids who are already members. They thought it seemed soon, but we bore testimony and invited them to pray to know for themselves when God would have them be baptized. We all prayed together at the end of the lesson to know. It was powerful. They came to a Branch FHE that night where they taught the same lesson - the gospel - and they took that for their answer! Such a miracle. They all came to church again yesterday and it was great. Then on a later lesson this week Ana told us her mom is here from Mexico and is leaving on the 25th, and she wants her mom to be there for her baptism, so now they are thinking of being baptized a week sooner! So exciting. We will see what date they end up deciding.
Carina - we found her this week. She was babysitting for the kids of some of our other investigators who we stopped by to see. We started teaching her about how Jesus Christ's church has been restored to the earth. We talked about reading and praying and coming to church so she can know for herself if it's true, and preparing to be baptized. She said she wants to do all of that and she was actually already looking to be baptized! She already knows it's what she needs to do to follow Christ. So prepared by the Lord.
I love you all so much! Thank you for your support.
Hna. Cannon
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