"If you mess up, get on your knees, say a prayer, and keep going." -Hna. Romero

Hello!

 

So, this week has been intense. We had two huge spiritual experiences from exchanges and interviews. The sisters we live with had exchanges too so that was fun. I have really seen the Lord's hand in our lives this week. We learned so much from exchanges and interviews (which includes a training), and then immediately after trials hit our apartment. I can't remember if I told you that we're both whitewash training. So, our junior companions were both really struggling this weekend. My companion got really sick with the flu or something similar, and the other junior companion was just having a really hard time adjusting to missionary life and having some emotional struggles. It was such a tough time for them, but it did so much to unify our apartment. Us two senior companions got to talk a lot while our companions were sleeping about how Pres. Castro told both of us in interviews that it is so huge that we are the first sisters in Simi. We have a lot entrusted to us and a big responsibility to be good examples. Pres. Castro said that we are setting the tone for sisters in Simi Vally for a long time - our example right now is so critical. So we strengthened each other a lot in that, just served and supported our companions and each other's companions all weekend. It was so good for all of us. This is the most unified apartment ever! There is just love all over the place. We all get along so amazingly well, and any tiny tension that ever happens within companionships is quickly dissipated when we get to talk to the other sisters. I love all these sisters so much. We grew a lot together this week. Definitely can see the Lord's hand as He built us up spiritually before the huge trials of this weekend.

 

I'm learning a lot about repentance and how to be a better Preach My Gospel missionary. More change and growing!

 

I am so grateful for the Savior's infinite Atonement that redeems us from our sins, mistakes, and weaknesses, and enables us to face trials and achieve more than we ever could on our own. I am so grateful for the plan God has given us to teach us how to apply the Atonement in our lives. It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ and consists of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We are only able to enjoy the full blessing of the gospel because in the year 1820, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. As they spoke with him, their brightness and glory defied all description. This began the restoration of the gospel. I have come to know for myself that this truly did happen. I firmly believe that anyone who wants to know can humble themself before God and investigate this truth through study, prayer, and obedience. Once they do so, they can ask God sincerely, with every intention of living in accordance with the answer they receive, if it be right. They will receive an answer. I encourage all of you reading this to do so, even if you've done it before, and gain or renew your testimony of this truth.

 

I love you :)

Hna. Cannon

This is my beautiful companion Hna. Hamlin! She is a Native American and from New Mexico. She went to the Mexico MTC and arrived in the field 3 weeks ago. She is really athletic and plays volleyball and softball.

We All Need a Hero

Hello wonderful family and friends,

 

We have had an amazing week. Miracles left and right. The Lord has blessed us so much this week to be able to meet all of our goals. I love getting to see the power of grace.

 

I have been thinking a lot about heroes. I have had many heroes throughout my life, and out here I have missionary heroes. A hero is someone we look to as an example. Someone who inspires us to stretch our souls. Someone who helps us to expect more out of ourselves. I am grateful for all the heroes I've had in my life. I've also seen how at times we need to be that hero for someone else. We need to always live worthy of their trust, by improving each day, being the example they need. The ultimate Hero for all of us is Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his example, and the example of all those who strive to follow Him.

 

As a mission Pres. Castro has invited us to deepen our understanding of the Atonement each day. He promised that as we deepen our own understanding, we will more effectively help others apply the Atonement in their lives. I've definitely seen that blessing this week. Something I've learned about the atonement is that it's all about sacrifice. Christ offered a sacrifice for sin. We are commanded to live the Law of Sacrifice. Anciently, they performed animal sacrifices. A sacrifice is giving up a good thing, or something we enjoy, for something greater. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we sacrifice who we are and what we do for something greater - a better self; someone who looks more like Christ. As we strive to represent Him, we can be heroes for others.

 

Anyways, Simi Valley is amazing! The people here are so kind. I love it here! Only goodness all the time. One tragedy though - this sweet old lady was taking a picture of my companion and I and the sisters we live with - and she dropped my camera and broke it :( So, I'm sorry that I won't be able to send any pictures for a while!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you!

Hna. Cannon

Simi Valley is the BEST!

(from Amanda's letter 1/20/14)

Hello!

Okay so everything here is amazing!!! I don't have a single thing to complain about. Well, except the apartment downstairs which gives off the worst smell I've ever smelt in my whole life. But other than that, everything here is incredible!

I love my companion! Her name is Hna. Hamlin from New Mexico. She is half Native American. We're perfect for each other. I can really see how the Lord's been preparing me to be her trainer. Getting her as a companion is kind of like finding a golden investigator. They're amazing and you just love them so much and want to do everything you possibly can to help them learn and grow. It's hard for her with everything being so new, especially the language. But she's doing great and improving each day.

We live with two other sisters! They're serving in the English ward. I LOVE them! They are wonderful. Hna. Moere is training Hna. Hancock. It's so good for Hna. Hamlin and Hna. Hancock to have each other there because they're going through the same thing as new missionaries. And Hna. Moere is so sweet, I love her. She is so obedient. It is so nice to not have to be the only one standing up for obedience. We're able to set the standard together for the other sisters to learn. They're whitewash training too, so it's so nice and really strengthening for us to all have each other.

Our apartment is SO nice. One of the senior couples said it's the nicest apartment in the mission. It is beautiful. We have a fitness room at the apartment complex!! And our car is BRAND new! It had 39 miles on it when we got it. A white 2014 Chevy Cruze.

The branch here is fantastic! They are all working so hard. About a year ago they only had about 40 people coming to church. Last Sunday they hit a record of 111! And they had NINETEEN investigators at church! Can you believe it? They definitely needed another set of missionaries here - there is so much work to do. There's 6 of us now. And I've actually served with all the missionaries in our branch before! It's so fun to see them all again. I've served with all except one, who is Marie Davidson's cousin!! It's so fun serving around him. He is totally a Davidson.

Our area is the BEST. It's huge geographically and so condensed. Tons of people to work with. And there are not one, not two, but three Walmarts! And a Trader Joe's, and Costo, and Target, and just everything we could possibly want! So, we are in heaven. I couldn't imagine a better place to serve.

We've hit the ground running and found 8 new investigators this week! Everyone here is so ripe and ready to harvest. The people here have been working so hard for so long at planting those seeds, and now it's time to pick the fruit!

I love everything. I am so happy to be here. Hooray!

Hna. Cannon

Whitewash training again! Simi Valley Spanish ward!

Got the transfer call this morning, I'm excited to whitewash train again and be back in a Spanish ward! Should be exciting!

I really have loved this area. It has been such a pleasure to serve here. I really feel I've fulfilled my purpose here. There is no greater peace than knowing you did everything the Lord expected of you. I've never felt so trusted by the Lord and those around me as I have here in this area. The Lord has used us to accomplish wonders!

This ward is amazing. They are working so hard. They're going to continue to see miracles. I have spoken twice in sacrament meeting and told them that the Lord has a vision for this area. I can see it and feel it. I know that if they keep being obedient and strive to implement the work of salvation in their daily lives, this ward is going to grow. (I just got chills while typing that. That means it's true!)

Here's a story from this past week. Remember Domitila? She was the one from months ago who got a priesthood blessing and was healed from tuberculosis. She wasn't willing to change so we stopped visiting her. Last week I felt prompted to go back. We did so and ended up getting to teach Domitila and her granddaughters, Jessica (7) and Gabriela (4). They are so sweet. I love them. We taught them how to pray and they both did! We committed Jessica to help Gabriela learn to pray and remember to do so each night. We went back again on Saturday and had another great lesson. The girls were so excited to see us. You can tell they recognize the spirit we bring. They drew us pictures, and we gave them a picture of the temple. Gabriela couldn't stop looking at it - she loved it. Then Hna. Prestgard had a nice Spanish Book of Mormon with a testimony of a ward member written inside that was given to her by her home ward. (They do that there for each missionary in their mission language). She gave it to Jessica, who loved looking at the pictures. Domitila was even asking questions about our message and seemed to want to know. At the end of the visit Jessica said, "I knew you were going to come today." We both really felt like these seeds we planted will bring forth fruit one day. These little girls will grow up and remember the missionaries coming over and how it made them feel. Hopefully they will remember how to pray and do so. Maybe one day, when Jessica's older, she will find that Book of Mormon again and read it. It was a sweet experience :)

Other exciting happenings in Solvang:

Our recent converts are doing great! Dane continues to bless the sacrament each week and he is starting to make friends in the ward. Connie said that when she started meeting with us she didn't know her purpose (I even remember her saying that). But now, she knows her purpose is to share her experiences and her knowledge to bless others. She's going to do so much good. She even just got assigned to visit teach this less active sister who she'll be perfect for! I really think she's going to touch her a lot and help bring her back. So exciting! Carl got the priesthood and wants to get a limited use recommend and his patriarchal blessing soon! He is anxious to serve and lift others. His son Woody said he wants to be baptized too, which will probably be in February!

There are so many joys of being a missionary. You don't realize sometimes how huge your influence is. You help change one person, then they impact others, and so on. It's incredible to be a part of. I love being a missionary. This is the most joyful time of my life.

I love you!

Hna. Cannon

Happy New Year! 2014 is THE YEAR of the harvest!

Hello!

What a wonderful week. So much growth. All the time.

CARL GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! He is amazing. His service was beautiful. He began his new life on New Year's day. He was beaming. He is going to be such a solid member of the church. He was confirmed yesterday and was presented as a new member to the ward and he just looked so so happy. That's one of the greatest joys of being a missionary. And he received the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday!! Soon enough he will be able to baptize his son, Woody! Too much happiness. I can't even handle it.

One word to describe this week is guided. We have always known where to go and what to do - the Lord has really been leading us to the people he is preparing to receive the gospel. It's amazing.

These past two transfers have been full of so much growth for me and my companion. The area was thriving when Hna. Millet was here, but after she left it was a struggle to get the area back to where it was. We finally got it back. The price is obedience and being focused on our purpose. A nice moment for me this week was when my companion told me the greatest thing she's learned from me is the principle of obedience. It felt so good to hear her bear a testimony of obedience that she did not have when we began as companions. If there is one thing I would want all of my companions to learn from their time with me, that is it. When we are obedient, the Lord has to bless us. He has been preparing this area for so long, and now it is ready to be harvested. When we got here they hadn't had a baptism in a year - but I know if the missionaries here continue to be obedient and focused, with all the help we are getting from the members, this area will continue to see one baptism each month.

The Language Training I did went really well! I was super nervous. But it was fine. I was glad for the opportunity to grow. I was wiped out afterwards with everything we've had to do this past week. For the first time in my mission I actually considered taking a longer break for lunch to rest. But there is no time for that! You know when you don't think you can go any further, but then you just do? We stuck to the hour for lunch then kept thrusting in the sickle. Honestly, that day I was barely hanging in there. But as we kept just doing one thing at a time, through the enabling power of the atonement the Lord blessed us with strength. It was amazing! We had such a great day and talked to so many wonderful people. Afterwards we were like, where did that energy come from? Because it definitely wasn't from us. Grace carries us through yet again!

There is this amazing family - the Williams. They found not one, not two, but three new investigators for us this week! We had 3 appointments in their home to teach their friends. They have been reading that book that everyone talks about that I can't remember what it's called. The one Jeff Clark gave to all the ward members. They just talk to all their friends, invite them to things, live the gospel, share it, and invite their friends to meet with missionaries! It's amazing.

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have an amazing week. You are the best family ever. Thank you for your love and support. You are the BEST.

Hna. Cannon

Consecrate ALL the things!

Okay, let me just tell you about these 9 days that I am in the middle of. Oh boy has this week been exciting! We have had SO many opportunities for growth. We have definitely felt the Lord's trust and confidence in us. This is what we are doing/have done in these 9 days.

- Lead an EDPEP for district meeting (which is a method for training missionaries)

-Speak in Sacrament meeting

-Lead and EDPEP in front of the whole ward (everyone but primary) for combined 5th Sunday 3rd hour

-Plan Carl's baptism and speak at it

-Give a talk in district meeting, the district leader asked us to inspire the missionaries because some of them are struggling

Then, last night the assistants called me and said that we are going to have a language training conference this Friday, the first he's known of since being in his mission. And President Castro has asked that I give a 45 minute training by myself on how to create a language study plan. The people doing the conference will be President and Sister Castro, the assistants, and me. Yep, not intimidating at all. Right. Really though, I am excited for the opportunity. It feels good to know the Lord trusts us with so much.

I'm really glad the Lord has taught me to rely on him, because there is no way I could do any of this on my own. I definitely have seen how the Lord is always preparing us for something greater. He is always enlarging our vision and stretching us beyond our own capacities. As I learn to trust Him, I feel His trust in me. That enables me to accomplish wonders through him.

Quick update on Andy, he was able to quit smoking for 24 hours. Thank you so much for your prayers. This was a really humbling experience for him. He didn't realize it would be so hard. He always thought smoking was just a bad habit of his, but this brought him to admit that he is addicted. He is learning to trust in the Lord to an even greater degree. I know that in the Lord's way and time, he will enable Andy to quit smoking. He is making Andy to an instrument right now, and I know his experiences now will bless so many people.

I love you!

Hna. Cannon

What can we give to Him?

Merry Christmas!!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day and season to celebrate the Savior. I always thought it was nice when people said to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It is not until now that I have come to fully understand what that means. I think before I tried to do both - enjoy the material side as well as celebrate Christ. Now, the material aspects just doesn't matter at all. We give gifts to one another to express our love. The best thing we can do to celebrate Christmas is to do what Christ would do. Serve one another, do something to lift someone else. There's a lot of people who are sad and lonely this time of year. What a wonderful opportunity to help them remember that they have a Savior.

I love the incredible members of the church who exemplify Christ's love. I get a little teary because I am just so amazed at all the people here do for our investigators! It is amazing. They know what it means to represent Christ for others. Last week we helped our investigator Carl move into his new house, but because of his arms and back disability he couldn't unpack. So we brought a bunch of sisters from the Relief Society and went to town! They are SO good at organizing. When we showed up it was a disaster, and by the end it looked amazing! I loved their example of consecrating their talents to the Lord. Sometimes we don't even realize what talents we have to give, but these sisters were able to use theirs to fulfill a great need - for which Carl was so grateful. As sisters in Zion, we all worked together! It was so much fun to help Carl have some peace this Christmas and remove some stress. They brought him a tree too :) I know we can all use our talents to lift up the hands that hang down. That is what Christmas is about.

I've seen the power of God manifest this week as He continues to answer my prayers. I continue to see the blessings that come from obedience. This week He has taught me to be submissive, grateful, and full of love. I love the patience He has with us. I am grateful for the power of the atonement that enables us to improve each day.

Yesterday we started the LDS Stop Smoking Program with Andy! It's a great program. We're all really excited about it. He hasn't had a cigarette since 9:00 am yesterday! We've got a family fellowshipping him and each person is praying for him each day. Could you pray for him too? I know he can do this, and I know through faith and the atonement he can quit. He is so close. He is AMAZING. He is going to be such a great member of the church and inspire so many people with his example.

I love you so much!

Hna. Cannon

P.S. from Vida: We had a great visit with Amanda on the phone on Christmas day. She sounds great! She said a prayer for us and we really felt the spirit bless our lives. Tears of joy :) She's so awesome!!