random thoughts from Sister Cannariato

Posted by Steph's Dad 4-1-08

Greetings to those of you in beautiful sunny weather from one with snow still on the ground (though it’s mostly melted),

It’s been a very busy and exciting week. We got everything squared away for Ken’s baptism and it turned out to be really nice. We had to get over to the church a couple hours early to fill the font but we were able to set up the chairs and pictures and stuff. Ken had called nearly the entire ward, so we had a really great turnout. His wife and four of their close friends also came and it was great to have them there. The Spirit was very strong as we talked about the importance of baptism, both by water and by fire. I love the simplicity of the ordinances but that they have such symbolic and profound meanings. I loved seeing him enter the waters of baptism and having that sacred ordinance performed. And Easter Sunday was great—Ken received the gift of the Holy Ghost and I loved seeing him as he reverently folded his arms and closed his eyes prior to the blessing being given. He just glowed.

Ken also got some other exciting news this week—he had his baby boy yesterday! Brandon Michael Taylor was born at 2:55pm, was 21 inches long, and weighed 8 pounds 4.5 ounces. Both Adrianna and Brandon are doing well. We were able to go see them last night and it was great to talk with Adrianna and see how excited Ken was to have Brandon blessed in church. He wanted to do it this next Sunday since it’s fast Sunday! He’s just on fire and I love to see the joy that the gospel’s brought to his life. He loves telling everyone about “my sisters from the church” and we’re praying that Adrianna will continue to open up so we can teach her too.

We’re going to be heading to Kirtland this Friday with Dawn (a recent convert), her two girls (Tatianna and Heaven), and Dennis (the girls’ father). Dennis is the one who has really opened up in the past few weeks and I think Kirtland will really be a great experience for him. It’s going to be a bit of a drive, but it’s totally worth it. I love the history of Kirtland and the spirit you feel when you’re there.

We had another really neat experience happen just while we’ve been emailing today. A younger man came up to us and asked us to pray for him as he’s looking for a new job. He and his wife were sitting across from us while using computers and he came over to us after they’d gotten up to leave. He gave us his information so we can go visit them. It’s amazing to see how people are being prepared to hear the message of the Restoration. Preach My Gospel mentions how we will be able to find those that are ready and that they will find us. We just were witness to that.

Things continue to go well here in Holland. Transfers are next Wednesday and I can’t believe how fast time has flown. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to be here in this area and to be witness of and participate in so many miracles in the last five weeks. I love this work and I feel honored to wear the name of Christ each day. I’ve gotten to the point that I feel without my tag...

How lucky we are to have a knowledge that Christ’s church is again upon the earth after centuries of darkness; that instead of just attending a church that mostly aligns with the teachings of Christ we are privileged to have 100%. With this knowledge we then have responsibility to share it with others so they have the chance to find out for themselves if the Church is true. I know that it is because I’ve studied it out for myself and asked God for an answer. And time and time again the Spirit bears witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon and the Bible contain God’s word, that Christ is leading the Church of Jesus Christ, and that every doctrine and ordinance that will enable us to return to our Father in Heaven is found in this church.

I've been thinking about the three-fold mission of the church: proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints, and redeem the dead. In my ignorance before my mission, I felt like I was good about the last two but that the first one didn't really apply to me and that I wasn't good at it. Now that I've been here in Ohio I've come to realize that proclaiming the gospel is one of the best refinement processes I've gone through in my life; that teaching others about the restored Gospel has perfected me in a way no other experience could. I've also seen how proclaiming the gospel to another allows that individual's family--past, present, and future--to be redeemed. We need to be involved in every aspect of the mission of the church because it's through doing each of them that we bring to pass God's work and glory. So keep up the good work and pray for those opportunities to share it with others!

I hope you're all safe and sound. I love you and hope you have a great week.

Sister Cannariato