(Posted by Steph's Dad 2-20-08)
GREETINGS FROM TOLEDO, OHIO!!!
As of about 15 minutes ago, I'm the proud new owner of a Toledo Lucas County public library card, hence me being able to email you right now. I got transferred to the Holland area and am serving with Sister Kirsten McFarlane. It's so amazingly neat because she was MTC companions with Sister Corbridge (my trainer) and also because of a neat experience that happened a couple months ago. We had mission conference before Christmas and I got to sit at a table with Sister McFarlane and her companion during dinner. As I was sitting there I thought about how much I would love to serve with her--and now here I am! As we were on our way to the library she told me that she had also felt that we'd get to serve together while we were sitting at the table. Man, I just love the Lord. She only has 2 transfers left and is a Kirtland sister so she may go to Kirtland for her last transfer...which means we're definitely going to make the most of our time here, whether it's six weeks or three months. I can't wait!
The drive to Toledo took about 3 hours...we drove a HUGE dodge ram van and the six elders that were being transferred out here let me have the front seat. Very kind. I tried to keep the driver from swerving too much and falling asleep. Needless to say, it was a interesting drive. I just felt bad for the greenie who we happened to leave at the transfer meeting--we ended up having to turn around to go get him. Luckily we were only about 15 minutes outside of Kirtland. It was kind of weird to be the only sister in a car full of elders...I guess I've gotten used to always having a companion :)
It was so sad to leave Stow but I know that the Lord wants me here in Holland. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me!
Oh, and an update on Jim: we had dinner with him at a member's home and invited him to be baptized. He said yes (!!!) but when we talked about a date (we were thinking end of March) he said he was thinking more like 6 months. It's amazing to me though because he truly is one of the elect. He just gets it and recognizes the spirit and is independently keeping commitments. I think that as Sister Leavitt and her new companion (who, I might add, is Sister Dickson, my MTC companion...crazy huh?) increase contact with him (we're teaching him about once a week), he'll progress even faster.
Leaving Stow was kind of surreal. I had Gail, Sister Stebel, and Sister Hursell in tears...luckily though I pretty much stayed dry. I think it'll hit me a little later. Right now I just feel a sense of peace that I've done what the Lord asked of me during my time in Stow and am looking forward to gaining a knowledge of the vision the Lord has for Holland.
As for my address and birthday information. I told Dad I'd like a copy of Gospel Principles and I would also love more paper for my mission journal (it's loose leaf and from deseret book). Music is also great but it does need to be hymns. Sister Leavitt had a great acoustic guitar CD called "The Field is White" I believe. I have a lot of instrumental music so ones with singing would be nice I guess. Other than that, I'm not picky, nor can I think of anything I'd like. Maybe just your prayers :) And here's my address: 5814 Sims Dr. Toledo, Ohio 43615.
Well, I'll write more next week but I just have to say again how excited I am to be serving with Sister McFarlane in Holland!
I hope all is well with each of you. Thanks for your emails, letters, and prayers. I think of you often and love each of you!
Sister Cannariato
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Many Miracles
Posted By Steph's Dad 7 Feb 2008
Family of mine,
Oh how grateful I am for the amazing family that you are! I can’t find the words to express how blessed I’ve felt to have such great family and friends.
And I’m so sorry to hear that many members of our family have been so sick the past little bit. There have been a TON of people here that have been ill here as well…oftentimes we catch people at home during the day while we’re tracting but they’re in their pajamas and are pretty miserable with the flu and things. But we’re still working hard and the Lord’s blessing us.
We’ve been able to find a couple of people this week while tracting who’ve met with missionaries in the past. It’s interesting to note how the Lord’s timing is such a factor in the process of conversion. Many individuals need exposure and contact to the church at specific times to prepare them for the day when they can progress in the gospel. It’s amazing to see the Lord orchestrating the salvation of His children and how He allows them to take advantage of the opportunities He presents.
This past week Sister Leavitt and I have been spending a lot of time role playing in our companionship study. It’s something our President Peterson has challenged us to do every day, generally geared towards the investigators we’ll be teaching that day. Sister Leavitt and I are kind of in “finding mode” so we’ve been teaching the Restoration a lot. It’s amazing to me just to see how every day my testimony of the reality of the Restoration and the experiences of Joseph Smith is strengthened as we role play. The gospel just makes sense—both to my mind and to my heart. When we look at the constancy of our Father in Heaven, how He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, it’s just simple and pure and perfect that our Father would reach out to us in love in our day, calling a prophet to reveal His will and help families return to Him in our time.
I’m so grateful for the life and teachings of President Hinckley. We were able to watch the funeral proceedings at our church building and I was touched by the tributes shared and the Spirit that was there. As Lexi said in her email she sent this week, “I hope, in my way, I can live a life as good as President Hinckley's--a life worthy of remembrance.” Amen to that, Lex! I know that he was called as a prophet of God and was uniquely prepared to meet the needs of the Church and receive direction from God. His example is one any and all should strive to emulate. In watching the broadcast the Spirit also bore witness that that mantle and calling of prophet, seer, and revelator was now upon President Thomas S. Monson. I look forward to being edified and educated by the newly called prophet and his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf.
Of the miracles we witness in the work, there are some I’d like to mention today. The first is that Sister Stebel came to the funeral broadcast. She hasn’t been out to church for some time and I wanted her to be there not only so she could feel of the Spirit but be there to support me because I still have a bit of a hard time at funerals. And she came. I shed tears of joy and appreciation knowing the Lord had answered my prayer in working that miracle. The Lord—He’s just great!
The second miracle is kind of a series that involves our investigator named Jim. Jim came out to church this Sunday, which was a miracle because he was supposed to be out of town. He brought his son, which was amazing that he wanted to share what he was learning with his family and his son was just awesome. Jim got married this weekend, which was a miracle because he and his now wife had been living together for at least 10 years and I didn’t know if the marriage would happen, making Jim’s ability to progress limited. We haven’t taught him specifically about our stance on family or chastity, and it truly was a miracle that the Lord moved Jim to tell his girlfriend “it’s now or never” (Jim’s words, not mine) and to get hitched. Again, the Lord—He’s just great!
Lastly, Richard and Gail have kind of been on hold for a bit…we’ve just been maintaining contact. Last night Richard called to ask us a question about the church organization now that President Hinckley had passed away. We stopped by and were able to have an open and spiritual lesson with both Gail and him. Then Richard had to finish up a few things for work so we talked with Gail for a bit. She expressed some of the feelings she’s had for the past little bit and some of the trials she’s struggling with and I had the chance to pray for her at the end of the lesson. She was crying as we said, “Amen” and I was pretty touched myself because I experienced some of the love that our Father in Heaven has for her. It was really an answer to many, many prayers, as we’ve made it a point in every prayer we offer as a companionship to ask the Lord to soften Gail’s heart. He’s answering us and Gail is slowly but surely opening up.
Well, I better be off—we’re doing zone preparation day where a bunch of us get together to play sports and have fun and such. I’m excited. Sister Leavitt and I are also going to get our hair cut (yes, Dad, all of them cut) by a member of the ward that we work with. The member, Sister Ingebo, has a salon called April Mae’s. Love it. And I think I may cut it shorter than I’ve had it for a while. I’ll have to send pictures next week.
Thank you for your continued support, love, prayers, and thoughts. I feel strengthened by them every day. I love love love you!
Sister Cannariato
Family of mine,
Oh how grateful I am for the amazing family that you are! I can’t find the words to express how blessed I’ve felt to have such great family and friends.
And I’m so sorry to hear that many members of our family have been so sick the past little bit. There have been a TON of people here that have been ill here as well…oftentimes we catch people at home during the day while we’re tracting but they’re in their pajamas and are pretty miserable with the flu and things. But we’re still working hard and the Lord’s blessing us.
We’ve been able to find a couple of people this week while tracting who’ve met with missionaries in the past. It’s interesting to note how the Lord’s timing is such a factor in the process of conversion. Many individuals need exposure and contact to the church at specific times to prepare them for the day when they can progress in the gospel. It’s amazing to see the Lord orchestrating the salvation of His children and how He allows them to take advantage of the opportunities He presents.
This past week Sister Leavitt and I have been spending a lot of time role playing in our companionship study. It’s something our President Peterson has challenged us to do every day, generally geared towards the investigators we’ll be teaching that day. Sister Leavitt and I are kind of in “finding mode” so we’ve been teaching the Restoration a lot. It’s amazing to me just to see how every day my testimony of the reality of the Restoration and the experiences of Joseph Smith is strengthened as we role play. The gospel just makes sense—both to my mind and to my heart. When we look at the constancy of our Father in Heaven, how He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, it’s just simple and pure and perfect that our Father would reach out to us in love in our day, calling a prophet to reveal His will and help families return to Him in our time.
I’m so grateful for the life and teachings of President Hinckley. We were able to watch the funeral proceedings at our church building and I was touched by the tributes shared and the Spirit that was there. As Lexi said in her email she sent this week, “I hope, in my way, I can live a life as good as President Hinckley's--a life worthy of remembrance.” Amen to that, Lex! I know that he was called as a prophet of God and was uniquely prepared to meet the needs of the Church and receive direction from God. His example is one any and all should strive to emulate. In watching the broadcast the Spirit also bore witness that that mantle and calling of prophet, seer, and revelator was now upon President Thomas S. Monson. I look forward to being edified and educated by the newly called prophet and his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf.
Of the miracles we witness in the work, there are some I’d like to mention today. The first is that Sister Stebel came to the funeral broadcast. She hasn’t been out to church for some time and I wanted her to be there not only so she could feel of the Spirit but be there to support me because I still have a bit of a hard time at funerals. And she came. I shed tears of joy and appreciation knowing the Lord had answered my prayer in working that miracle. The Lord—He’s just great!
The second miracle is kind of a series that involves our investigator named Jim. Jim came out to church this Sunday, which was a miracle because he was supposed to be out of town. He brought his son, which was amazing that he wanted to share what he was learning with his family and his son was just awesome. Jim got married this weekend, which was a miracle because he and his now wife had been living together for at least 10 years and I didn’t know if the marriage would happen, making Jim’s ability to progress limited. We haven’t taught him specifically about our stance on family or chastity, and it truly was a miracle that the Lord moved Jim to tell his girlfriend “it’s now or never” (Jim’s words, not mine) and to get hitched. Again, the Lord—He’s just great!
Lastly, Richard and Gail have kind of been on hold for a bit…we’ve just been maintaining contact. Last night Richard called to ask us a question about the church organization now that President Hinckley had passed away. We stopped by and were able to have an open and spiritual lesson with both Gail and him. Then Richard had to finish up a few things for work so we talked with Gail for a bit. She expressed some of the feelings she’s had for the past little bit and some of the trials she’s struggling with and I had the chance to pray for her at the end of the lesson. She was crying as we said, “Amen” and I was pretty touched myself because I experienced some of the love that our Father in Heaven has for her. It was really an answer to many, many prayers, as we’ve made it a point in every prayer we offer as a companionship to ask the Lord to soften Gail’s heart. He’s answering us and Gail is slowly but surely opening up.
Well, I better be off—we’re doing zone preparation day where a bunch of us get together to play sports and have fun and such. I’m excited. Sister Leavitt and I are also going to get our hair cut (yes, Dad, all of them cut) by a member of the ward that we work with. The member, Sister Ingebo, has a salon called April Mae’s. Love it. And I think I may cut it shorter than I’ve had it for a while. I’ll have to send pictures next week.
Thank you for your continued support, love, prayers, and thoughts. I feel strengthened by them every day. I love love love you!
Sister Cannariato
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