E-mail - November 28, 2007

" It seems to get colder and colder everyday and Sister Besso doesn't complain at all. Her Christmas is usually the middle of the summer and is looking forward to her first and only cold December. I can't believe how fast the last week has gone. Things are going much better with the Elders although we still seem to run into them everywhere. The ward is adjusting quite well to Sisters and I feel we are on the edge of something very big. We got to go up to Ely earlier today and visit an American Sister, Sister Pack (Air Force). You will think I'm ridiculous but we did not take the Ely Cathedral tour which costs 6 quid. Maybe next time. The real reason was we didn't have any cash. It is a magnificent structure even from the outside and the foyer. I can't wait til it's one of ours.

We were taken down to Saffron Walden (you should Google Earth it, it's an amazing little village) after the munch and mingle and dropped off on a "random" street by the lovely Sister Dot Wheeler. We met some really amazing people including a really interested new investigator named Amy and a woman surnamed Cannon. She wasn't at all interested in the Gospel (crazy, I know) but we told her that our church was keen on family history. "Oh!" she said, "So are the Mormons!" We had a bit of chat and she wanted to know what we know and share what she had.

We had Thanksgiving with the Morieras. A really yummy Portugese chicken casserole and salad. The only really "Thanksgiving-y" thing about it was our lesson afterwards about gratitude. It was a wonderful way to spend the holiday and I'm glad you also had a good time. Thank you so much for the pictures! I love my little William so much already and can't wait to meet him. Another miracle was the dinner appointment in Bury on Thanksgiving Eve. While we were there, James Hayhoe (found and taught him but got moved to Lowestoft 2 weeks before his baptism) came over to go Home teaching with Bishop! It was such a tender mercy to see him again and apparently he is contemplating a mission. God is so good.

We get to go to the temple, something I miss desperately on the 20th. The nearest I can figure my release date is on the 31 January. I promise I have called a few times about it but there is a lot of confusion. It's true that I don't like thinking about it, but I am trying to be realistic. I have told you about the bike trip I'm planning right? It might have been on the tape that I need to send. I'm not sure what I'm going to do anyway. There will be plenty of time for there, there. There is not here. I love you all and will hear from you (and talk to you) soon. Love, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - November 21, 2007

"Cambridge - Beautiful yes, receptive yes, exciting and challenging yes. I have had so many emotions in the last week, I don't even know where to start. I am actually e-mailing from my "home" area in Bury St. Edmunds. There are still Sisters here and the Elders (who we are "sharing" the area with) are teaching a Taiwanese sister, so I swapped with Sister Lee for the day. Currently my companions are Sister Miller (of beloved Lowestoft) and Sister Mtntoishi (don't worry, it doesn't sound like that, she's from South Africa).

The Lord has really blessed me despite my uneasiness and faithlessness. Over and over, it has been confirmed to me that this is where I am supposed to be. The ward is very transient, lots of students and American military. It is also very large, we could fit most of the Romford Stake in our boundaries. We are assigned to focus our efforts on building Cambridge and it's been really good. Opening our Mouths in City Center is a whole new world for me. Everybody is very bright. I already have a huge love for the people and of course the beautiful places and buildings. Sister Besso is wonderful - such a testimony - and we gel very well. She likes to talk almost as much as me and we have a good time. I'm grateful to know that you will all be together on Thanksgiving. I will be at the Morieras, a familiar Portugese family from the Bury Ward. Don't worry about me, I am loving it. The Lord definitely has a lot to teach me still and I am focusing on learning as quickly as I can. I just have to rely on Him and keep working hard. Love you all very much, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - November 13, 2007

"I guess I'll give you the big news first, I am moving, and you'll never guess where I am going. Even as I write I have crazy big knots in my stomach. I am going to be half of the Sisters in CAMBRIDGE! Yes, it is back to the Cambridge District and back to beautiful Cambridge. It is funny to be able to picture where I am going. My companion will be Sister Besso from Australia. She is half South American. Opening another Sisters area will be challenging but not as difficult as leaving my Baby of Lowestoft. I have had so many incredible experiences here and have grown so close to many of the members, it is difficult to say goodbye to everyone. I get to see Brother Soans at least tonight. I will miss the raging sea. The whole ward has been a support the whole time we have been here and we have seen so much progress. Mark Lambert baptized. The Alexanders came back to church. The Gassons. I will miss the Stake President and his family. The Wrights. The Bells. The Legrices. The Phillips. Everyone.

I can't believe I'm serving in CAMBRIDGE! It's unreal. I'm proper chuffed. (that means really pleased). I have no idea what to expect but I feel it is the Lord's will and so I KNOW things will work out. They always do. It will be amazing to serve in such a beautiful place.

Next, the Storm...We didn't drown but we did get evacuated. The High Tide and low pressure put most of Lowestoft in danger of floods that ended up being a few larger puddles and limited damage. But it was exciting and we got most of it on my tape recorder. It was a sleepover at Bishops and a not very effective day of proselyting - mostly service and planning. It was probably the longest week of my life. We had some really good experiences and I am looking forward to a safe inland intellectual haven.

I am taking my driving test in a matter of minutes. I'm fairly, but not overly confident about my driving. Bishop Barron gave me a really wonderful blessing last night and I am calm.

My anxieties about going home are less and less everyday. The Lord had really answered my prayers in the last few days. When you ask the Lord to do something, YOU HAVE TO LET HIM DO IT. Our Agency is so important. I can't believe how much I have learned about it. And soon we will be able to go to the temple! God is so real. I feel so close to Him sometimes. I'm excited for the growth and experience that awaits me in the next few months. I feel in someways that I have started my mission over and I am preparing to leave my first area. In other ways I don't feel like I existed before. Isn't it wonderful that time passes and we can grow and live and learn. Love, Sister Cannon"

Editor's Note

It came to my attention that it is not allowed for missionaries to use blogs to communicate to their friends and families and I wanted to be clear that even though this blog is set up in Sister Cannon's name, she does not directly add to it. In fact, I don't think that she has ever even seen it. I take her e-mails, letters and pictures and post those things that I believe might be of general interest to her friends and family members. I hope I am doing it in such a way as not to embarrass her or make her upset at me when she sees it! I believe it is a good way of recording many of her experiences and sharing them with those who are interested.

Thanks for your prayers on Sister Cannon's behalf. I know that she appreciates and feels them. I also know that she loves to get letters!!

Sincerely, Sister Cannon's Mum, Jan Cannon

E-mail - November 7, 2007

"An average week with average ups and downs. Brother Soans is still preparing for baptism on the 30 November. It will be a good one. I will remind you that when we first met him, he had no concept (nor did he wish to) of God or Heaven or anything spiritual. He teaches me so much about choice and consequence. His choices have lead him to now recognize readily the blessings of keeping the commandments. Obedience brings blessings. A lifestyle focused on service and love and learning and change is happier than those focused on money, gain, food and essentially carnal desires. Another thing that I have realized this week is the comparison between covenant people and not. We have more and more opportunity (and responsibility) to stand as examples to the world. Most people don't know there IS a better way much less know what it is. So many families that harden their hearts don't know how to even respond to love or concern. It's just not found anywhere in the world. Also, another lesson, it does not work to not believe in God. Faith is so essential to doing any of the Lord's tasks.

The 5th of November was Guy Fawkes Day. From now until Christmas there is a constant stream of fireworks. It is some consolation to the freezing cold winds that seem to be what they call "lazy winds." They don't go around you or over you, they go right through you. I am keeping quite comfortable. Sister Halladay is in a jogging mode which helps and I have plenty of layers, including a homemade jumper from Sister Gasson. I find myself falling into the culture quite naturally. If you can't talk about God, you can talk about the weather. No matter what the age across the board, the British will talk about weather more than anything else. I love England.

Things are going really well and I am trying to continue in my pace. I feel the rate of my "progress" has slowed slightly, but I guess that is normal. I do feel like I have never not been a missionary. And it's hard to imagine anything else, so I usually don't I love you all over and over. Each of you are in my prayers. Especially little Andrew. God Speed. Sister Cannon"

E-mail - October 31, 2007

"Today we went up to interviews with President Foulger at Norwich. I sat down (for the eleventh time) across from that inspired man and to be honest didn't really have anything to say. He gave me, as usual, exactly what I needed to hear. And as usual I felt re-energized to convert millions.

There have been some really good experiences this week. On Saturday, we were selected to be ushers at the first annual Norwich Stake Restoration Pageant. It was quite good especially because we got to see it twice. Mark Lambert (an investigator)'s Mum came and felt the Spirit of the Prophet Joseph Smith and is now being taught. We also had a few less-active and recent converts come. I was especially touched when John Taylor (played by an American serviceman from Thetford ward) sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief". Joseph Smith was definitely a prophet. Isn't it wonderful!

Sister Halladay's foot got run over by a car. We were waiting at a stop light and it was her first full day of leading on the bikes when at the last second she decided to turn right, knocking a side mirror clean off and when she put her foot down to catch her fall, the car's back tire ran over her shoe. It happened at the most perfect time. We got the Legrices to take us up to the hospital where we got an x-ray. Thankfully nothing was broken. The foot is a bit swollen and her pride a little hurt but she's tough and is walking around just fine.

I am so excited to see my new Will. Send pictures soon. I know he won't remember that he doesn't remember me. I love you all so much. The Church is true."