Christmas - 2007

Mission Temple Trip

Lowestoft

London England Mission Sisters

E-mail - January 30, 2008

"I have had a really good week. We have been really building bridges with the members and we also had a "mini mission" with some of the YW and YSA in our ward. My companion was Ruth Reed who is a British version of Katie Cannon. 17, ginger and sporty. We covered all aspects of missionary work, finding , teaching and planning. The Baptisms were amazing. The Spirit was very nice and there was a good turnout including our newest primest investigator Ade (aaday). I bore my testimony and so did Sharon. It was wonderful. They are so happy to be members of the only true and living church on the face of the earth.

I don't feel any different to any other moves. Elder McRobb gave me a blessing yesterday morning and I haven't been able to manage a worry fit since. Darn it. It's just like any other moves. We also received information that the Elders are moving out of Cambridge and into Bury St. Edmunds.! The Bury Sisters are going away and Sister Besso will be the remnant of the original district. Lucky.

I'm glad to hear the nice things done to honor out beloved Prophet. It doesn't really feel real. Sister Besso was pleased that he also gets to meet Sergio (her brother). Things will definitely be different when I get back, but I don't think I'll be able to notice until General Conference.

I don't have much time. Things are good. I'm shipping stuff and making sure everything is the right weight. This is madness. Lots of love, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - January 23, 2008

"I haven't much time today, but a brief update on my doings...

Sister Besso is feeling much better about things. The Atonement is real. I love it. Yesterday was Zone Conference, I gave my "departing testimony". I mostly shook more than anything. I was like King Benjamin's "trembling frame." My feelings are very strong. It's good. My mission means everything to me. I don't really know how else to say it. Sharon, 33 and her DAUGHTER, Marion, 13, will be getting baptized on Saturday. They are very very excited. It will be wonderful. We met a new investigator named Ade who is deadset on getting baptized before I go. He's very excited about the Book of Mormon. It's fun.

And today is Zone Preparation day which is why I don't have much time. We are going to be playing games at the Bury Chapel. Good times. I can't really think of anything else very exciting to tell you. I'm well. Oh yes, I would cancel my debit card. God blessed me when I already withdrew all the money I was going to need to send stuff home just before I lost my wallet.

Love, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - January 17, 2008

"These e-mails are supposed to be an accurate account of an entire week of my life and they end up being a small summary of my present emotions! Before I attempt to capsulize the last seven days, I'll just tell you that at the moment I'm a bit shaken up because I just lost my wallet. (I think I left it on the train so I'm not panicking, but still).

My little missionary world is becoming so comfortable (probably dangerously so). There is good news. Sharon and Marion have been found worthy to be baptized on the 26 January, 18 months to the day I touched down in this country. I am so happy for them. They have worked very hard and the ward really loves them. We are struggling to keep the pool full and I feel a renewed commitment from the ward to help us out.

Last night I attended the Ipswich Stake Priesthood meeting! The full time missionaries were invited to train on the use of Preach My Gospel. It was wonderful. A very spiritual experience, as was my interview with President. We also received training from the Zone Leaders and other missionaries (Elder Smith from South Africa and um, me) on the Atonement. Pres. Foulger has really stressed that we focus our studies and our teachings on the Atonement. In everything we do, refer to and remember it. It's exactly what we need. I'm sure you've read the quote from Joseph Smith that "all aspects of the gospel are appendages to the Atonement." It is the real thing. All suffering, all pain, all sin, for every human that walks the earth. All means all. Every means every.

Which brings me to the "other" news. There is no point in calling anything bad. Like Dad always says, "There's no bad news." anyway, rushing home late from an appointment Sunday night we got a call from President Foulger that Sister Besso's brother had passed away. He actually had had MS since he was 18 and was 30 when he died. She's handling it well, but I guess what else is she supposed to do? I've been at a bit of a loss to help her. I know the Lord is definitely helping us. What a wonderful place to mourn? In the service of God, literally in His Hand. It's great to belong to the only true church and to have the Holy Ghost all the time. There is wisdom in this, I know it and she knows it. Especially now. The Atonement is real, really real.

We sat in St. Andrew's cathedral. It was pouring rain and we reflected on what it means to atone. It was not the first restoration-gratitude moment of the week. Monday night we attended a special "science meets faith" seminar at Wesley Methodist Church. It's a beautiful church about two minutes from where we live. We meet people that go there for the "lovely windows". It was an interesting discussion. (I in no way want to offend anyone). I really agreed with the priest for most of it aside from his "I am so smart" attitude, but that's just normal. It wasn't until the Q and A portion that I began to appreciate how badly everyone needed the Restoration. In his answering a question about "facts" he said that "Truth is often more important than facts" and when questioned further about what is truth, he admitted that he was tempted to just quote "the Creed"!! I couldn't believe it! so lost! I was filled with charity for them and it actually made me quite sad. I loved them so much. We have all the answers or at least how to find them. We are so blessed. I am so humbled by it. I am humbled to represent the Church of Jesus Christ and not the one with pretty windows. (Does that sound mean?) No disrespect. It just strengthened my testimony so much that Joseph Smith really was a prophet and we really have the restored truth. It's amazing.

So, that's what's been going on. A lot, I know. I'm grateful for every breath. Love, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - January 9, 2008

Another amazing week as Sister Cannon. Where do I begin? My terrible cold proved fully flegged sinus infection. I finish up the antibiotics tomorrow. I haven't felt pain like my teeth were growing in again. I have been extra grateful for my body lately.

We have been finding a lot of really amazing people lately. Especially a family in Trumpington. We are going to see her tomorrow. What we really need now is new investigators. I have had some real character building experiences this week. I have officially accepted that I am a missionary. I have accepted that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have the most precious thing on earth or heaven. It's real. It's good.

Goal setting has been another thing that Sister Besso is helping me with. She has done this before (been someone's last companion.) So she knows what to say. At first, I would have said that setting goals is being "trunkie". But I am learning (from Chapter 8 in PMG) the technique of how to set and achieve goals will help me focus on being what the Lord wants me to be and when, which is what makes me the most happy.

I learned a lot in Sacrament meeting. There are loads of really good families in our Ward. I love Church. It's my favorite three hours of the week, and that is saying something. I have a feeling that when I get home church will seem much shorter. Sundays as well.

Did I tell you that Brother Soames got baptized? Sister Halladay showed me the pictures and the programme at the temple trip. He's doing really well. He bore his testimony and everything. Seeing the picture was like the Celestial Kingdom. I was so happy. I still smile thinking about it. Individuals are so important! EVERY soul is precious.

I must be feeling better. I've been in a cleaning mood. Our flat is spotless! I might even take pictures. I don't blame you for taking the decorations down. We also did that. Have you had much snow? That's not something I usually think about. It rarely snows here. I has been quite cold lately but no snow and it doesn't feel like January.

I love you all very, very, very much. I pray for each of you. And I know that it works.

Cheers, love, Sister Cannon"

E-mail - January 2, 2008

"This time of year just magnifies my nostalgia for my mission. I really have had a great year, a REALLY great year. Sister Besso is helping me be excited for the coming year as well. I have had a terrible cold and she is also doing really well playing mum. Even though I know she is not feeling 100% herself. I assume the wedding that took place was Maddy's? I forgot to tell Grandma "Happy Birthday". Send my love and thanks again for the advice.

My New Year's Eve was spend with the counselors of the Bishopric (Father and Son-in-law) Brother Stokes and Johnson (son of Kenneth Johnson of the Europe West Area Presidency). They have a beautiful house in a little village called Keddington and you would love it. They are a wonderful family and aside from my cold, I really enjoyed myself.

We had an eventful New Years Day, in continuing my tradition watched Demille's Ten Commandments at Sister Conway's house. I can't wait for you to meet her. She and her family are wonderful. They are actually moving to Salt Lake in March, so we will have to look her up. We also had a really good appointment with Sharon and Marion. Sharon is still struggling with the concept of the Restoration, but we are getting there. Last night as I lay awake - nose dripping and coughing-- I saw so clearly how Heavenly Father has prepared me to serve these people right now. Especially principles about agency and accountability. The Plan of Salvation is FLAWLESS. The Atonement is TOTAL. As I look back at all the people I have met this last year, it is amazing the experiences that have given me understanding to relate to people and to the scriptures for people. I love it.

I am starting to really, really love Cambridge. More especially the people here. It is hard to believe I have served anywhere else. I can't believe my mission is ending. But like I said, We have set some goals that are making me look forward to the coming badgeless year. It's almost harder that I love it so much. And it is much easier to think about it not ending so I think I'll stick to it as long as I can. I love you all and I promise I have a really cool package on the way. I'm sort of waiting for one last thing from Brother Conway before I can send it.

I got some nice e-mails from the Edwards and the Reidhead families. I am so blessed to have supportive family. I love all my family so much. It proves how much God loves me. Be good and do good. Love, Sister Cannon

PS Is the Christmas stuff still going to be up when I return?" (Mom replies "Not a Chance")