Sister Abigail Cannon: July 2007

Scenes from Bury

E-mail - July 26, 2007

"Happy Pioneer Day indeed. For some reason I cannot access my mail. A blessing perhaps so that I am not distracted with all the news about your Pioneer day festivities, probably something of a barbeque, and I can tell you all about how on the 24th all my appointments canceled and we had 8 1/2 hours of knocking doors and making phone calls. I will tell you about 2 of the most interesting people I have met on my mission.

A woman named Julianne. We knocked on her door one of our first days here and we thought we'd call by. It was pouring rain at this point and she was nice enough the first time. We had gathered the information she requested about the family history center here and the worst she could do is say no. Julianne is a Christian spiritualist. She hasn't liked what she had heard about the Church -- something about black people and we respected her request to not talk about it. She did let us in and we did pray with her. She put some blue protective light around us so that wouldn't get wet and after the prayer she explained to me that I was accompanied by an Old man, a Native American in traditional garb holding a peace pipe. He was happy with me and wanted me to keep up in the work. I don't really know what to think about that. When she first said old man I pictured Grandpa Cannon, but I don't know. I would like to think there are people with me doing this that "unseen power will aid me and you in the glorious cause of truth" but I don't know why God would give Julianne the ability to see them.

The other I will have to give less detail but it was a sister named Betty. We stood in her garden right by the sea talking to her about half an hour. She was really afraid when she finally got what we were saying. I loved her a whole bunch. What a way to finish my last fresh week of my mission. I have had a wonderful week. We did a lot and our teaching pool is growing a little. The work is a bit different from my other areas. The ward is treating us well. I love the members that we have worked with so far. It's so strange to think that exactly one year ago I was entering the MTC. It feels like an eternity and a day all at once. God has blessed me so much. Sometimes when I wake up before the alarm I have time to sit and ponder on the people I have met. The faces that have touched my heart. It sounds cheesy, but I wouldn't trade any of it. Yesterday morning it became especially valuable to me. I wish it could last forever. Anyway, the Church is true, keep studying, keep praying. I love you all. Sister Cannon."

E-mail - July 18, 2007

"Whitewashing is exciting and really busy. I am learning so much about everything, it's like a jump start to my mission. It's been really fun to get to know everyone and the ward is thrilled to have Sisters.

Sister Miller is from Wales, Utah (San Pete County) and I love her. I knew we would get along. She has been out 5 months tomorrow and she was whitewash trained in Kettering (Northampton Zone). She is teaching me a lot and we are expecting many miracles. The ward has a lot of potential and it's so fun no to have any preconceived notions about...ANYONE. It's quite refreshing. The information we have comes from the Spirit. What to teach and question to ask. Some of it will be challenging but like I said, it's just what I needed (of course).

Minutes after we arrived in Lowestoft, we moved all the Elder's stuff from a members house across town to a flat above a Newsagent shop right of London Road South (the main drag that goes along the beach front). It's a really beautiful town and all the members live fairly local.

My sugar fast is going very well, I have never felt better. And there are a few other good things - like morning jogs on the beach!

I went back to Bury on 13 July to take my driver's test which was flawless except for one "major fault" which was not checking for oncoming traffic in the other lane when backing around a corner. It's a bummer that I failed but I will say that it built my confidence to only have one major fault. I don't know really that it means much for the license status but I guess I will try to do the Lord's will. That seems to get me pretty far. I love you all and am eternally grateful for your fasting and prayers, Many thanks, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - July 11, 2007

Moves calls this week brought a bit of a bump. Lowestoft is a seaside tourist hot spot-retirement area. It's been an Elders area for ages. In Ilford, the Romford District Leader's companion started his mission there and from what I remember, I feel like I am going to the Florida of East Anglia and the most incredible cotton candy ever. New challenges, a good time to be had. I'm so proud of Sister Mortensen. There is a Chinese Sister (Lee) coming to replace me. I know they will be great. I thought for sure I would be headed to London, but it seems the Lord has more to teach me in white "suburbia". I will be "white washing" Lowestoft. Following Elders in an all Elders Zone is going to be exciting and challenging but I feel very up for it. I'm excited to meet my new companion, Sister Miller I have never met or even heard of her so she must be fairly new. I do know that she is from the states. Anyway, I love Bury and will miss the ward. It's hard to believe that I have been here as long as I was in Milton Keynes. How I have changed since then! My goodbyes now are pretty standard non-emotional, "see ya laters" and there is little to say but "thanks for the great examples" It is an eternal work and the effect on the here and now is overshadowed by the "gotta go finding". It is almost like a game show, "okay folks, I will give you 18 months to talk to as may people about the gospel as possible, ready? GP!" It's rush, rush, this sense of urgency is what keeps me going, can't stop, can't stop.

Thank you for all your prayers and support and just so you know my forty day fast is going awesome. I don't remember if I told you the details but I divided my 10 things into physical and spiritual (the duality of souls, one of my favorite gospel concepts to ponder) and the one that is effecting me the most I feel is being completely starved of all refined sugar. I feel wonderful and we are day 11. So your prayers must be working especially because on day one I turned down a real American Pumpkin pie and ice cream. I love you all! Sister Cannon"