What a week!

So here is a story about transfer meeting. We get there at about 10:40, thinking we'd have about 20 min. to wait and spiritually prepare. There were tons of cars and no one was outisde and we were really confused. We go in and they were in the middle of the meeting - turns out it had started at 10, and we were like, NO! It was super sad to miss so much of it, the testimonies of all the departing missionaries and everything. And, being late to any sort of mission thing is just about the biggest shame a missionary can have. So we sat in the foyer and listened to Pres. Castro's concluding comments. He was talking about adversity and the different things we go through on our missions. He talked about how we can still be steadfast and have the strength to conquer those trials. He said, "There is a missionary who's testimony I would like you all to hear. Hna. Cannon, will you please come up. Where is she?" I jumped up from the couch and headed in. He says, "Is Hna. Hamlin with you?" She comes in too and he has us walk up to the podium and tell our story of the past few weeks and share our testimonies. Haha it was such a big surprise. We definitely got caught from coming in late. But it was good to share our experience with all the missionaries. Afterwards many of them came up to us and told us it was just what the needed to hear, and helped them with what they're going through.

 

Hna. Hamlin is still recovering from surgery, and then BAM! She gets an awful throat infection and her throat is bleeding. She is super down. They gave her an anti-biotic then she started getting this awful pain in her appendix area. We're going to the doctor tomorrow to find out what it is. I really hope she doesn't have to get that out too - one surgery is hard enough. I know the Lord has a plan for her, but it's just like, really? Wow. Just so many trials all at once. She is definitely learning and growing though, but it is hard.

 

Meanwhile, I am taking care of my poor companion, and also trying to take care of our area by myself. She can't leave the apartment, so I do a lot of coordinating to find members or the sisters we live with to switch with us so I can work and someone can stay with Hna. Hamlin. The time we have to proselyte each day is very small. But even so, it is amazing the miracles we have seen. I have seen how the Lord can do His own work. We are giving all of our heart, might, mind, and strength, even if it's from the apartment. We are both fighting in our own ways. Because He knows we're doing all we can, He has blessed us so much. Here's some of the miracles we've seen this week:

 

We went to a baptism on Saturday and a member had brought two friends and introduced us to them. They both were in our area, loved the baptism, and agreed to let us visit them! Their names are Jorge and Felipe. We're excited to meet with them!

 

Figueroa Family - they ALL came to church on Sunday and brought 2 non member friends! So exciting. The gospel principles lesson was on the Holy Ghost and it was perfect for them. I was sitting next to Ana (the mom) during sacrament meeting and she was crying. After the meeting she said, "That was so beautiful. All of it. It's like they were saying in the first class today, sometimes you don't know what it is, but you can feel it. It's the spirit." So great. We are going to try to set them with a baptismal date tonight.

 

Savdi - 16 years old - AMAZING. We taught the Plan of Salvation and she loved it - she said it answered so many questions she had. She also said she loves how our church is the same wherever you go, she thinks it's really important that we have priesthood authority. She also thinks a prophet is really necessary in the world of today. She believes this church is true and wants to be baptized. The only problem is her parents are not supportive at all. We are praying they soften their hearts, and if they do she will be baptized on Mar. 29!

Ruben - is not a member and his wife is a returning member. They both want to come to church together. She was really sick on Sunday though, but he came anyway by himself! He loved it, and the members were so good at fellowshipping him. They're in their 60s, and after church Ruben said, "I loved church today. I feel like I've missed out on so much by not coming for so long. I am so grateful to be here at last." I'm sure he'll get baptized. He's amazing. What's also cool about him is that Elder Nalder, who was my District Leader in Solvang, taught him a year ago when he began his mission in Simi Valley. And E. Nalder just got transferred back here last week! So it was fun for he and Ruben to see each other at church.

 

Antonio - a new investigator. We met him last week and he said he'd read our pamphlet and if it was interesting to him we could come back and teach him. We went back this week and he read it and said he thought it was beautiful. I was holding a Book of Mormon and he said, what's that book? We told him and he asked if he could have one. Then he asked,"Is this about eternal life? Do you teach about how I can have eternal life?" We said yes and explained how you start by making promises with God like baptism. Then he said, "A ver cuando me bautice en tu iglesia." Which is basically, let's see when I get baptized in your church! So awesome.

 

Other kind of sad things: Our awesome Sanchez family we've been teaching just moved just outside of our area! So we can't teach them anymore :( we were heart broken. When I told them over the phone the wife said she and her family are so sad. But the elders will take care of them - they told us they'd make us proud :)

 

Also, Dora, a golden investigator in our area is ready to be baptized, but just moved into the elder's area. Haha.

It is sad but honestly, these people are so prepared and need to be baptized. The Lord knows we have too many investigators to handle right now, so He found a way to take care of them. It's all for the best.

 

Love you!

Hna. Cannon